The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) lifted the national takeoff ban this Friday night, after more than four hours of air traffic interruption caused by a communication failure at control centers, which affected thousands of flights and forced European authorities to adopt restrictions on transatlantic connections
.
The suspension had started around 15:54 Eastern Time, when the FAA ordered all aircraft pending takeoff to be kept on the ground due to “extraordinary circumstances and safety reasons”. The decision responded to telecommunications problems that affected the centers responsible for coordinating air traffic between the country's different airports
. The United States suspended all takeoffs from the country for 4 hours for security reasons
Finally, around 20:15, the US authorities authorized the resumption of takeoffs, although they warned that lifting the restriction would not imply an immediate normalization of operations. Companies will have to reorganize their itineraries, recover displaced aircraft and adjust the availability of
crews.
According to air tracking records released during the day, there were nearly 10,000 delays and 4,700 cancellations, while the aeronautical consultancy Cirium reported that at least 827 flights had been diverted from their original routes. The shutdown also affected cargo transportation operations and international connections
.
The crisis even spread to the European continent, where Eurocontrol had ordered the suspension of takeoffs to the United States between 22:00 on Friday and 05:00 on Saturday (UTC), at the request of the FAA itself. The provision reached all 42 member countries of the agency, although the lifting of the US ban did not automatically confirm the early end of European restrictions
.
Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin ruled out any evidence of a deliberate computer attack against the United States. The official explained that the incorporation of new technologies to an outdated air traffic control infrastructure could have overloaded the systems, although investigations continued to determine the precise origin of the damage
. Air traffic resumes in the United States.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy had also reported that FAA technicians were working to recover communications. The incident refocused on the modernization of U.S. aeronautical infrastructure, for which the Government recently requested additional funding from Congress
.
Despite the reinstatement of authorizations, airlines warned that delays and cancellations could last for the next few hours, due to cumulative alterations in their operating networks. Passengers should check directly with their airlines for the updated status of their flights.
