FORT MYERS, Fla. —
The Federal Aviation Administration has grounded all flights in the United States until further notice, issuing a nationwide ground stop for safety reasons.
The FAA said in a statement that the ground stop was ordered “due to extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety.”
“Traffic should remain ground stopped until further notice,” the FAA said in an advisory. “International flights will be managed on a case by case basis.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said a communications issue is affecting regional air traffic control centers that direct planes between airports across the country. He confirmed FAA technicians are investigating.
This is the first nationwide ground stop since January 2023 when a critical FAA computer system malfunctioned. Before that, the last time was the day of the Sept. 11, 2011 terrorist attacks.
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) and Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) flights are currently showing on time for arrivals. During a ground stop, flights may land at their destination; however, no flights will be allowed to takeoff.
Arrival/Departure Times: Southwest Florida International Airport | Punta Gorda Airport
Gulf Coast News has reached out to RSW and PGD ariports for more information.
Since Congress set aside $12.5 billion last year, federal officials have been modernizing the aging equipment behind the nation’s air traffic control system. Fiber optic lines have taken the place of miles of copper wiring, and airports across the U.S. are slowly getting new radio systems.
Duffy says finishing the overhaul will take another $30 billion, and the White House is now pressing Congress for the money.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
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