Group of five AI engineers are stranded at an airport in the USA after flights were suspended — Photo: David Mannoel/Personal Archive
With the suspension, almost 7,000 flights in the United States were delayed or canceled, according to data from the FlightAware monitoring website. United States Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin said the problem is related to a temporary failure in telecommunications services. The US government reported that there is no reason for the population to be afraid.
The Brazilians are artificial intelligence engineers, work in São Paulo and went to the USA to participate in an event in the area in San Francisco, California, on November 8th.
In an interview with g1, engineer David Mannoel Lopes Rocha said that the group should return to Brazil on Thursday (12). The flight would leave San Francisco and head to New York, where passengers would connect to São Paulo.
During the journey, however, the pilot was unable to land in New York due to weather conditions. The aircraft was then diverted to Ohio, where the five disembarked at Cincinnati airport.
"Delta airline identified that there were five Brazilians and arranged accommodation in a hotel and rescheduled the trips for us. The new flight would be at 4:30 pm this Friday (13), destined for Orlando, from where we would continue to São Paulo", he says.
Just before boarding, however, passengers were informed that there would be a one-hour delay. The wait was long, and, according to David, the employees were unable to provide information about what was happening.
"It started to get longer and people started saying that they didn't know what was happening. The feedback was that they didn't know what was happening and no plane could take off", he reported.
Also according to him, passengers who had flights to Orlando were only able to travel on Saturday (14). People who already had their bags inside the aircraft were also trying to understand whether they could continue their journey. At the time of reporting, however, there was no official announcement of the flight's cancellation.
Cincinnati Airport, in Ohio, in the United States, after suspension of flights this Friday (13) — Photo: David Mannoel/Personal Archive
Until 9pm, the five Brazilians were still at the airport, with no confirmation as to whether they would be able to board that night or whether they would have to wait until the next day.
David described a tense scenario at the terminal, with long queues and passengers trying to resolve problems with the airlines. According to him, there were also people canceling flights, including travelers dressed as Disney characters who were on their way to Orlando.
"The atmosphere here is tense. Many long queues, passengers trying to resolve problems and people canceling flights. Among them, there are people dressed as Disney characters, who were on their way to Orlando. Everyone is tense," he said.
Cincinnati Airport, in Ohio, in the United States — Photo: David Mannoel/Personal Archive
São Paulo International Airport
The concessionaire GRU Airport, which manages São Paulo International Airport, in Guarulhos, informed TV Globo and g1 that it received a security alert from the Federal Aviation Command Center so that all air traffic originating or ending in the United States remains on the ground until further notice.
In a statement, the concessionaire highlighted that it advised passengers with scheduled flights to the North American country to consult the airlines directly for more information.
"GRU Airport informs that it has received a security alert from the Federal Aviation Command Center so that all air traffic to or from the USA remains on the ground until further notice. Passengers with flights scheduled for the North American country should consult the airlines directly for more information."
TV Globo found that of the 15 flights to the United States scheduled to leave Guarulhos this Friday (13), eight were canceled and two were delayed. Another five remained confirmed, with departures scheduled between 9pm and midnight.
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In a statement, the company Gol informed that it is aware of the decision by the United States Federal Aviation Administration to suspend takeoffs at American airports. He highlighted that there are two flights scheduled for this evening from the United States.
"Flight G3 7635, from Orlando (MCO) to Brasília (BSB), is scheduled to take off at 9 pm (11 pm Brasília time). Flight G3 7749, from Miami (MIA) to Brasília, is scheduled for 9:35 pm (11:35 pm Brasília time)", he informed.
The company also said that all decisions related to the two flights will follow its commitment to safety.
United Airlines also informed, in a statement, that it is responding to the order to suspend takeoffs across the country, issued by the FAA. According to the company, flights that are already in the air will continue to their destinations, but new takeoffs on domestic flights are suspended while the determination is in force.
The company also stated that it will work to ensure that passengers reach their destinations as soon as the situation is resolved.
American Airlines said flights that are already in the air can continue to their destinations. The company foresees impacts on the schedule for the remainder of the day, depending on the duration of the suspension, and stated that it will mobilize its teams to help passengers continue their journey as soon as the restriction is lifted.
Azul said it is closely monitoring the suspension of airspace in the United States and awaits new guidance from American authorities on the matter.
"At the moment, there is one Company flight (AD9301 Campinas-Orlando) en route to the United States, which continues normally, with a scheduled landing at 7pm local time, 9pm Brasília time, two other flights departing from American cities (AD8707 Orlando-Campinas and AD9302 Orlando-Confins) and one departing from Campinas to Fort Lauderdale AD8704)", he stated.
The company also highlighted that all customers will receive the necessary assistance.
Delta Airlines reported that it does not yet have information to communicate.
Latam informed that it is monitoring the situation and working to offer the best "possible alternatives to passengers who may be affected, including flexibility options to facilitate the rescheduling of their trips."
'No changes appeared in the panels'
Flight panel at Guarulhos Airport, in SP — Photo: Gabriel Diehl/ Personal archive
Gabriel Diehl, 31 years old, is a project manager and says he left Porto Alegre at 1 pm this Friday (13) heading to São Paulo, where he would make an international connection to Boston. Boarding for the United States was scheduled for 10:40 pm.
While following the news about the situation in the United States, he reported that, so far, he has not received any communication about changes to the trip.
"We are in front of the flight screens, following the confirmations and boarding times. So far everything has been confirmed. No one has warned anything different and no changes have appeared on the panels either", he says.
Runway at Cumbica International Airport, in Guarulhos — Photo: Sidnei Barros/Prefeitura de Guarulhos
Oops!
