Malfunction in the communication system: nationwide stop of takeoffs at US airports

The flight control centers in the USA report communication problems. The result: Airplanes are currently no longer allowed to take off across the country. It is only the second nationwide flight stoppage since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2011.

In the USA, the aviation authority FAA has imposed a nationwide flight ban. The FAA said the causes were extraordinary circumstances and safety reasons. All departures would have to remain on the ground. Incoming international flights would be assessed on a case-by-case basis. There are serious communication problems that affect all air traffic control centers, according to US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy. FAA technicians are investigating the incident.

The nationwide flight halt is only the second since the attacks of September 11, 2001. The first came in January 2023, when the FAA suspended all domestic flights for less than two hours. Last year, Congress approved $12.5 billion to overhaul the FAA's aging communications system. Just on Friday, the FAA and the White House asked Congress for $30.1 billion to address other problems.