US lifts nationwide ground stop after communications outage disrupts flights

Internal and overseas flights to destinations in the United States resumed with delays on Saturday after the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) lifted a nationwide ground stop. The suspension had been triggered by air traffic control communication issues. Widespread flight disruptions were anticipated to persist into the weekend due to the cancellation of thousands of flights during the Friday afternoon shutdown, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded at US airports.

Before clearing flights to resume, the FAA conducted thorough tests of its systems to ensure stability and reliability. US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy cautioned that restoring normal operations would require time, partly contingent on the availability of airline crews. Aircraft already airborne at the time of the suspension were permitted to land, but further disruptions were expected as numerous aircraft and crews were out of position for subsequent flights.

At major US hubs, long lines formed and chaos initially continued for several hours after the ban was lifted. News reports from Las Vegas and Atlanta highlighted the initial confusion and disruption. In Las Vegas, a stranded traveler reported receiving no information from airport staff, stating, "Nobody has answers at the moment." Similarly, reporters described chaotic conditions at the Atlanta airport.

The grounding of flights led to increased demand for hotel rooms in many locations, resulting in shortages and cancellations. One traveler at Newark Airport had booked a hotel to accommodate the waiting period but was subsequently informed that the hotel had canceled her reservation due to a lack of capacity.