Why a problem on the ground can affect flights thousands of miles away among other issues
Summary
A nationwide U.S. flight ground stop lasted more than four hours on Friday after communication and radar problems affected air traffic control centers. Officials said work to replace old copper wiring contributed to a surge in connection attempts, and airlines could need days to return to normal operations.Key Facts
- The FAA ordered a nationwide flight ground stop on Friday because of problems at regional air traffic control centers.
- The ground stop lasted more than four hours and was lifted late Friday.
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the system received more than 1,000 connection attempts every four to five seconds.
- Officials said the connection surge disrupted communications with aircraft and some radar feeds.
- A contractor was replacing old copper wire with fiber wire at a remote location on Friday afternoon.
- Pilots on flights already in the air landed safely using established procedures, according to Duffy.
- The FAA operates 22 regional air traffic control centers that manage aircraft flying between airports.
- Congress approved $12.5 billion last year for an effort to update air traffic control technology.
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