The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a rare nationwide ground stop on all departing flights on Friday. The order, issued due to extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety, has resulted in the delay or cancellation of nearly 7,000 US flights.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that the stoppage is due to a communication issue impacting all Air Route Traffic Control Centers. He confirmed that FAA technicians are currently investigating the matter.
According to the FAA, flights already in the air may land, but all departing traffic must remain groundstopped until further notice. International flights are being managed on a case-by-case basis.