The FAA told airlines that a network router problem, believed to have started at Chicago Midway Airport, caused the nationwide outages and ground stop, CNN reported.
The outage reportedly hit a telecommunications network overseen by L3Harris Technologies, which handles radio communications between controllers and pilots. CBS News reportedly cited sources saying an update to the network caused it to reboot and crash.
The FBI does not believe the outage was caused by a cyberattack or criminal activity, Bloomberg reported.
More than 13,000 U.S. flights were disrupted, with over 3,300 canceled and 10,200 delayed. Major airlines could suspend operations for the rest of the night, an airline source told CNN.
San Francisco International Airport said flights to Hawaii and Asia were cleared for departure. Delta said none of its flights were departing and issued a travel waiver.
Mullin: No Sign of an Attack
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said there is currently no indication of an attack against the United States, AP reported. He said “this isn’t another 9/11,” according to Reuters.
“Everybody is safe. There is no reason to be concerned about your loved ones if they’re flying,” Mullin said in remarks shared by the White House.
Duffy Cites Communication Issue
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said at 4:16 p.m. Eastern on Friday that the FAA “issued a nationwide ground stop for all U.S. airports following a communication issue impacting all Air Route Traffic Control Centers.” He added: “FAA technicians are investigating the issue. We will provide immediate updates as we have them.”
The FAA advisory lists the stop through 10 p.m. Central (11 p.m. Eastern), but departing flights were ordered to remain grounded until further notice.
Official Order Halts Departures
The Air Traffic Control System Command Center issued Advisory 111 at 3:54 p.m. Eastern under the title “National Ground Stop.” It said that “due to extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety,” all airports were ground stopped and departing traffic should remain so until further notice.
Chicago Stops Cite Comms Issues
Before the national advisory, Advisory 107 had stopped flights bound for O’Hare from 3:10 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern, citing an “equipment / outage” and “comms issues.” Midway received a matching stop under Advisory 109.
The FAA has also taken unusual airspace steps before, including a 10-day closure over El Paso, and U.S. airports have faced separate system disruptions.
Crews Report Frequency Outages
Airline messages compiled by FlightDeck captured the disruption as it spread. A Delta crew flying from Boston reported “freq/radio issues.”
Delta dispatch told another aircraft, “Possible nationwide ground stop coming… multiple frequency outages across the country. Do not push.”
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