The FAA orders a national suspension of flights due to “extraordinary circumstances and safety reasons”

The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Friday ordered a nationwide suspension of flights “due to extraordinary circumstances and for safety reasons,” after the agency had previously reported serious problems in air traffic control communications.

"All departing flights must remain grounded until further notice. Incoming international flights will be managed on a case-by-case basis," reads the FAA alert.

The last time a general suspension of flights was declared nationwide was in January 2023, when a breakdown occurred in the pilot notification system. Before that, the last time it had happened was after the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York City.