All flights at US airports grounded ‘due to extraordinary circumstances’

All US flights have been grounded (Picture: Mario Tama/Getty Images) All flights in the United States have been grounded by the Federal Aviation Administration.

It cited ‘extraordinary circumstances and reasons of safety’ as the basis for doing so, leaving at least 3,100 airborne aircraft bound for US airports and no additional aircraft permitted to take off.

The warning did not instantly contain any further information but stated that ‘all departing traffic should remain ground stopped until further notice’.

‘Inbound international flights will be managed on a case-by-case basis,’ the announcement added.

The alert first appeared on the FAA website but was soon removed.

It was later reported that a communications problem had impacted all Air Route Traffic Control Centers.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy added in a social media post: ‘FAA technicians are investigating the issue. We will provide immediate updates as we have them.’

The US FAA Chicago Center said loss of ‘all frequencies and automation for handoff and strips’ was the reason behind the stop.

No indication had been given around when the ground stop may be lifted.

In the immediate aftermath, flight cancellations hit far and wide, including in the UK.

A 10.30pm flight from Heathrow to JFK, New York, was cancelled in minutes.

Nationwide ground stops are extremely rare and are only issued in times of emergency.

There has not been a nationwide ground stop since January 2023, when the Notice to Air Missions system, which notifies pilots of potential dangers, went down.

Prior to that, the last ground stop was issued after the September 11, 2001, attacks.

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