FAA orders nationwide ground stop due to ‘extraordinary circumstances’

FAA orders nationwide ground stop due to ‘extraordinary circumstances’ By KSTP A plane on the airfield at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is seen, with the Minneapolis skyline in the background. (Courtesy: MSP Airport) The Federal Aviation Administration has ordered a nationwide ground stop, halting all flights from United States airports. An FAA alert obtained by ABC News says the ground stop is “due to extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety.” Alerts on the FAA website cite an “equipment outage.” It’s just the second time since Sept. 11, 2001 that such a stop has been ordered, according to ABC News. The other one was in 2023, when a key FAA computer system malfunctioned, The Associated Press reports. What we know A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Airports Commission, which manages Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, confirmed the ground stop is due to an equipment outage and said travelers should contact their airline for the latest flight information. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy posted on social media , saying the ground stop is “following a communication issue impacting all Air Route Traffic Control Centers. FAA technicians are investigating the issue. We will provide immediate updates as we have them.” All flights already in the air will be allowed to land on a case-by-case basis. Additional details about the reason for the ground stop aren’t immediately clear, and it’s unclear how long it may last. Outdated tech The government has been working to overhaul the outdated technology that air traffic controllers rely on since Congress approved $12.5 billion for the project last year, the AP notes. Miles of old copper wires have been replaced with fiber optic lines and old radio systems are gradually being replaced at airports across the country. Duffy has said that another $30 billion will be needed to complete the work, and the White House has begun lobbying Congress to approve it. The FAA manages U.S. air traffic via airport towers, radar facilities, and en-route centers, handling tens of thousands of daily flights. 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS is working to learn more about this developing situation. Download the KSTP app below for additional updates.