
The US Federal Aviation Administration issued a nationwide halt to departures and landing delays at all US airports starting around 4pm ET Friday due to a temporary telecommunications outage, stating every flight has been accounted for and international flights will be handled case by case.
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The article describes a rare nationwide ground stop issued by the FAA affecting all US airports.
The US Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement that the nationwide halt to departures and delays to landings at all US airports that began at about 4pm ET on Friday was caused by "a temporary telecommunications outage".
"Every flight has been accounted for and international flights will be handled on a case by case basis," the FAA added.
Here is what we know about the rare nationwide ground stop issued by the FAA.

Afghanistan's Taliban-led government has opened a gravel road through the Wakhan Corridor to China's Wakhjir Pass, costing 365 million afghanis ($5.5m), but China has not opened its border or commented, citing security concerns over Uighur fighters entering Xinjiang. Kabul views the route as a strategic alternative to Pakistani and Iranian trade routes, while Beijing prioritises security guarantees before any commercial crossing.

The Atlantic Asphalt tanker struck the American Heritage paddleboat on the Mississippi River in New Orleans on Friday, partially submerging the vessel. All 129 passengers were accounted for, with 32 taken to local hospitals, none with critical injuries. The river was closed to vessel traffic.

A tanker collided with the docked American Cruise Lines ship American Heritage on the Mississippi River in New Orleans on Friday afternoon. All 129 passengers and crew were accounted for with no deaths or critical injuries, though 32 people were hospitalized. Mayor Helena Moreno called the multi-agency rescue a "miracle on the Mississippi." The NTSB will investigate.

A tanker struck the American Heritage river cruise boat carrying 129 passengers on the Mississippi River in New Orleans on Friday, partially submerging the vessel and prompting a major rescue operation. The Port of New Orleans reported the collision at about 12:30pm local time; authorities have not released information on injuries or deaths.

The United States grounded flights nationwide after a communication issue hit FAA traffic control centers, delaying or cancelling about 7,000 flights. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said technicians are investigating. Congress approved $12.5bn for air traffic control overhaul last year, and the FAA and White House requested another $30.1bn on Friday.

A tanker collided with the American Heritage river cruise boat near the Port of New Orleans on Friday afternoon, leaving the boat partially submerged in the Mississippi River. About 130 passengers were aboard, and dozens were transported to area hospitals. Rescue operations were underway, ferry service was suspended, and officials said it remained unclear whether anyone had been killed or injured.