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The FAA halted U.S. departures nationwide for several hours after an air traffic communications outage, then lifted the stop.

The FAA grounded departing flights nationwide on Friday after communications problems disrupted air traffic control centers; the agency said it acted for safety and technicians investigated. The FAA lifted the stop that evening, but delays and cancellations continued as airlines worked to restore schedules.

What the reports agree on

  • The FAA ordered a nationwide ground stop for departing flights on Friday. Newsweek, The Hill, PBS NewsHour, CBS News and 3 more
  • The stop followed communications problems or a telecommunications outage affecting air traffic control centers. Newsweek, The Hill, PBS NewsHour, CBS News and 4 more
  • FAA technicians investigated the problem. Newsweek, The Hill, PBS NewsHour, ABC News and 2 more
  • The FAA lifted the ground stop Friday evening, but flight disruptions continued. Axios, CBS News, The Hill, France24 and 3 more
  • Officials said there was no indication that a malicious attack caused the outage. The Hill, CBS News, Guardian World, France24 and 2 more

Where reports differ

  • Reported disruption totals varied: Al Jazeera reported about 7,000 delayed or canceled flights, while Guardian World reported 10,543 delays and 3,580 cancellations. Al Jazeera
  • The Hill said airspace reopened at 8:15 p.m. Eastern Time; CBS News reported the stop was lifted around 8:20 p.m. EST. CBS News

Reported by one outlet

  • The FAA said inbound international flights would be handled case by case. Newsweek
  • FlightAware reported more than 10,000 domestic delays and 4,000 cancellations by 7:15 p.m. ET Friday. Axios
  • The FAA's new AI tool for managing airspace congestion had no confirmed link to the communications problems. Axios
  • The FAA and White House asked lawmakers for an additional $30.1 billion on Friday. Al Jazeera

The original reports

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