A nationwide ground stop triggered by a telecommunications outage halted air travel across the United States on Friday afternoon, impacting major Nebraska hubs including Omaha and Lincoln.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued the order following a communication issue that affected all Air Route Traffic Control Centers. This disruption forced a sudden freeze on departures and arrivals to ensure safety during the technical failure, WOWT reported.
“Everything was stopped due to extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety,” the FAA announced via social media.
There has been a temporary telecommunications outage – out of an abundance of caution all flights have been halted. Every flight has been accounted for and international flights will be handled on a case by case basis.
The outage created immediate chaos for travelers in the region. At Eppley Airfield in Omaha, the last scheduled flight landed just before 4:55 p.m., after which there were no scheduled inbound flights, according to airport officials.
Delta Air Lines notified passengers that all flights would likely be cancelled for the remainder of Friday, with service expected to resume on Saturday, the Eppley Airfield Airport Police Department reported.
⚠️ TRAVEL ALERT Due to a nationwide technology issue, a ground stop has been issued at LNK and other airports, impacting departing flights. Travelers should check directly with their airlines for updates on delays and cancellations.
Lincoln Airport confirmed that all commercial flights and any aircraft flying under Visual Flight Rules within a 25-mile radius were grounded due to the faulty equipment. The airport is now preparing for incoming traffic from other parts of the country.
At 4:48 p.m., the Lincoln Airport stated it had been notified that it could receive diverted aircraft from Chicago and Minneapolis as a direct result of the nationwide ground stop.
Six planes are expected to divert to the Lincoln area, and officials warned that delays at the airport are expected to extend well into the evening.
In Grand Island, the Central Nebraska Regional Airport also saw significant disruptions. Specifically, the GRI-DFW flight, which is typically sold out every Friday afternoon, showed delays as the outage took hold, WOWT reported.
While the team avoided the brunt of the ground stop, the broader implications for travel and logistics remain uncertain as technicians work to resolve the issue.
“A nationwide technology issue, a ground stop has been issued at LNK and other airports, impacting departing flights,” the Lincoln Airport posted to alert travelers.
Federal authorities have said that every flight has been accounted for, and international flights are being managed on a case-by-case basis as the investigation continues.
Secretary Sean Duffy said that FAA technicians are currently investigating the issue following the communication failure, according to a post from Secretary Sean Duffy.
The @FAAnews issued a nationwide ground stop for all U. S. airports following a communication issue impacting all Air Route Traffic Control Centers. FAA technicians are investigating the issue. We will provide immediate updates as we have them.
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