US flight disruptions: Nationwide ground stop ordered for only the second time since 9/11

NEW DELHI: The United States witnessed its second nationwide aviation disruption of this kind since the September 11, 2001, terror attacks after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) halted departures across the country for more than four hours on Friday due to communications failures affecting multiple air traffic control centres. Although the FAA lifted the ground stop at 8:15 p.m. ET, widespread travel disruption continued, with more than 10,000 flights delayed or cancelled and airlines warning that cancellations could stretch into the weekend.The disruption, triggered by a telecommunications outage affecting air traffic control facilities, forced airports to suspend departures and manage aircraft already on the ground. The FAA said it had ordered the halt as a precaution while technicians investigated the problem.Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said there was no indication that the incident posed a threat to the United States.