Nationwide ground stop lifted, FAA says

Some flights were taking off over the ocean and in Alaska and Hawaii.

FAA says the nationwide ground stop that halted travel Friday has been liftedThe Federal Aviation Administration ordered a rare nationwide ground stop for all airports Friday — a more than four-hour disruption that snarled travel from coast to coast.

At a White House news conference Friday night, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy blamed old technology that became overloaded and called on Congress to provide billions more in funding to modernize critical equipment, calling the situation an "emergency."

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin told reporters there was no indication the incident stemmed from a cyberattack, but that officials were still investigating.

Nearly 5,000 flights were canceled amid the issue.

"I believe that it's going to take us some time to get back to capacity," Duffy said when asked how long air travelers should delays and cancellations to continue.

6 Updates1 hour and 45 minutes agoNationwide ground stop lifted, FAA saysThe FAA said the nationwide ground stop has ended.

Secretaries Duffy, Mullin to hold press briefing soonTransportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin will address reporters in the White House Briefing Room shortly regarding the FAA ground stop.

National ground stop leaves San Francisco Bay Area travelers strandedAll three major airports in the San Francisco Bay Area are experiencing significant delays, with dozens of flights canceled.All three major airports in the San Francisco Bay Area are experiencing major delays, with dozens of flight cancellations at the San Francisco International Airport, Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport and Mineta San Jose International Airport.

While Pacific-bound flights were cleared to take off from SFO, most travelers remain stranded.

A Wisconsin couple traveling from SFO told ABC7 News they booked a $300 hotel room after their flight was canceled. Minutes later, hotel prices had shot up to $700.

Several flights have been canceled at OAK, with at least 11 reported canceled as of 4 p.m.

At SJC, some flights were already boarded when the ground stop began. Passengers say they were stranded on the planes for hours before deplaning and waiting for baggage.

Nearly two dozen flights in and out of San José have already been canceled as a result of the nationwide ground stop.

San Jose State University's football team was on a charter plane, taxiing at SJC when the ground stop occurred. Players were on the plane for about three hours before they could deplane and return to SJSU. The team is scheduled to play against the U.S. Air Force tomorrow.

Delays are expected to last through the weekend at all three airports. Airport officials advised people to check with their airline for their latest flight information.

Nearly 5,000 flights canceled nationwideNearly 5,000 flights have been canceled nationwide Friday, according to FlightAware.

There are nearly 800 cancellations for Saturday.