US lifts flight takeoff halt after communications failure grounded flights

In depth

The US Federal Aviation Administration ordered a halt to all takeoffs at airports across the country, citing "extraordinary circumstances and safety considerations" resulting from a communications failure that affected flight control frequencies and radars. Thousands of flights were delayed or canceled, including flights to and from Israel.

For more than four hours, no aircraft took off from American airports, and 830 flights were diverted from their routes. At one point, additional aircraft had to be parked at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport after it ran out of space. Takeoffs resumed at night, and airlines said delays and cancellations are continuing.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said outdated communications systems were flooded with data and began providing incorrect information, and that Federal Aviation Administration technicians are investigating the malfunction. The administration in its statement ruled out a cyberattack, and the secretary called for emergency funding of $50 billion to upgrade aviation infrastructure.