All US domestic flights halted over communications problem
All domestic flights in the United States have been suspended until further notice, citing extraordinary circumstances and security considerations. CNN reports the cause may be a communications problem affecting air traffic control centres.
On 13 November, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which regulates civil aviation in the country, ordered a halt to all domestic flights nationwide. According to the American broadcaster CNN, the decision was made because of "extraordinary circumstances and security considerations" and will stay in force until further notice. The move affects countless travellers, as air travel between cities across the country has stopped entirely.
The reason for the suspension was initially unclear. CNN later reported, citing an FAA representative, that a communications problem had arisen affecting the air traffic control centres. These centres monitor flights across the United States.
International flights
The FAA warning states that flights are suspended until further notice, while international flights will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The flight tracking website Flightradar24 said 3,100 aircraft are currently airborne and heading to US airports. It also stated that no additional aircraft are taking off at the moment.
Previous cases
CNN notes that the last time flights were halted nationwide in the US was in January 2023, when the pilot notification system stopped working. Before that, a suspension of such scale came after the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001.
Official details of the current situation have not yet been set out, and it is unknown when flights will resume.
