FAA ground stop: More than 2,000 flights cancelled as US airlines struggle to recover

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) lifted a nationwide ground stop on Friday following a communications failure at air traffic control centers that caused significant disruption at U.S. airports. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that US airspace reopened at 8:15 p.m. Eastern Time, but cautioned that departures would resume gradually and it would take time for airlines to restore normal operations.

The grounding, which began at 3:36 p.m., affected over 6,600 flights, with another 1,500 cancellations expected for the following day. Aviation analysts said the extensive shutdown could disrupt airline schedules for days. Tens of thousands of passengers were stranded at airports across the country, and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated that no evidence of a cyberattack or rogue AI system has been found, though the investigation is ongoing.

The incident highlights the challenges faced by a US air traffic control system plagued by aging technology, equipment, and communications issues, as well as a shortage of controllers. The FAA and Homeland Security Secretary emphasized the need for significant funding to modernize the system, with Duffy calling for $50 billion in upgrades.

Despite the resolution of the immediate issue, the disruption for passengers was far from over, with thousands of travelers facing delays and the prospect of overnight stays at airports.