Flights halted at airports across US due to air traffic control communications problems, FAA says

The Federal Aviation Administration grounded all flights nationwide Friday afternoon because of communications problems at regional air traffic control centers. The FAA notice said the ground stop was being imposed “due to extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety.” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said there is a communications issue affecting the 22 regional air traffic control centers that direct planes en route between airports nationwide. He said FAA technicians are investigating. This is the first nationwide ground stop since January 2023 when a key FAA computer system malfunctioned. Before that the last time had been after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The government has been working to overhaul the outdated technology that air traffic controllers rely on since Congress approved $12.5 billion for the project last year. Miles of old copper wires have been replaced with fiber optic lines and old radio systems are gradually being replaced at airports across the country. Understanding Wisconsin, Together. WPR’s “Wisconsin Today” newsletter keeps you connected to the state you love without feeling overwhelmed. No paywall. No agenda. No corporate filter. Instagram This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Email Subscribe But much work remains. Duffy has said that another $30 billion will be needed to complete the work, and the White House has begun lobbying Congress to approve it. This is a developing story and will be updated. © Copyright 2026 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Related Stories ‘This puts Oshkosh and Wisconsin on the map’: EAA AirVenture is back Wisconsin receives failing grades in tobacco control How the shutdown left an imprint on the airline industry leading up to Thanksgiving Here’s how national flight reductions are impacting travelers in Wisconsin DOT Secretary Sean Duffy talks new aviation rule, air traffic control modernization in Oshkosh