All departing US flights grounded due to 'extraordinary circumstances'

Flights have been suspended at airports throughout the US following an unprecedented nationwide directive from aviation authorities due to air traffic control communication difficulties.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed it ordered all airports nationwide to stop departing flights owing to "extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety".

The significant decision followed communication difficulties affecting all Air Route Traffic Control Centers, with technicians currently examining the issue.

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the nationwide ground stop in a statement posted on X.

He said: "The @FAAnews issued a nationwide ground stop for all U.S. airports 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."

The FAA later released an instruction to all aircraft operators, directing departing traffic to stay grounded until further notice.

Its notice read: "Due to extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety: Attention all aircraft operators, by order of the Federal Aviation Command Center, all airports are ground stopped. All departing traffic should remain ground stopped until further notice. Inbound international flights will be managed on a case-by-case basis."

The directive means flights due to depart from US airports nationwide are unable to take off until the restrictions are removed. International arrivals, however, are being managed on a case-by-case basis.

It marks the first nationwide ground stop in the US since January 2023, when a technical malfunction affecting the FAA's Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system triggered extensive disruption.

That breakdown impacted the system responsible for informing pilots of potential dangers and significant operational changes, leading to thousands of flights being delayed or cancelled.

The FAA has confirmed technicians are examining the latest communications problem, with additional updates anticipated as further details emerge.

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