The Federal Aviation Administration on Friday ordered a nationwide ground stop on all departing flights “due to extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety.”
The unusual alert contained no other information beyond stating that “all departing traffic should remain ground stopped until further notice.”
“Inbound international flights will be managed on a case by case basis,” the FAA said.
Nationwide ground stops are extremely rare.
“FAA technicians are investigating the issue,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in an online post. “We will provide immediate updates as we have them.”
Shortly before the FAA issued its alert, both major airports in Chicago — O’Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport — were listed on a ground stop alert due to an “equipment outage,” WMAQ-TV, the NBC affiliate in Chicago, reported.
This is a developing story, PSA BDP will continue to share additional updates as more information becomes available.
