The Federal Aviation Administration has implemented a nationwide ground stop affecting all airports in the United States. The decision followed a reported communication issue that impacted all Air Route Traffic Control Centers, according to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
Shortly after 4 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, Secretary Duffy stated that FAA technicians were actively investigating the situation. He assured the public that the department would provide immediate updates as new information became available.
In a statement posted on the social media platform X, the FAA described the event as a temporary telecommunications outage. The agency noted that out of an abundance of caution, all flights had been halted. Officials confirmed that every flight was accounted for, while international flights would be managed on a case-by-case basis.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin addressed reporters at the White House to clarify the nature of the disruption. He stated that the outage had not been linked to a specific threat or cyberattack. Mullin emphasized that there was no indication at that moment that the United States faced a threat, and he urged the public not to be afraid for their loved ones.
This is not the first time the U.S. has experienced a ground stop of this magnitude. In 2023, all U.S. airports were shut down due to an outage in the NOTAM system, which provides real-time hazard alerts to pilots and airports. That previous incident initially raised fears of a cyberattack, but the FAA later determined that contract workers had inadvertently deleted critical files.
The current disruption occurs as the FAA rolls out an AI-enhanced software tool known as the SMART system. This tool is part of an ambitious overhaul of the nation's air traffic control infrastructure. Air Space Intelligence, the company responsible for developing the SMART system, quickly moved to dismiss speculation that its product was connected to the flight disruptions.
The company issued a statement on social media clarifying that the current ground stop was not based on or a result of the SMART system, any other ASI product, or its integration with the FAA and air traffic control operations.
The situation remains a developing story as agencies work to resolve the telecommunications issue and restore normal operations across the country.
