FAA system outage disrupts US flights

Following a system outage, the Federal Aviation Authority issued a ground stop for departing flights in the United States on Wednesday morning, causing a cascade of flight cancellations and delays throughout the day. The FAA’s Notice to Air Missions System (NOTAM) provides information to flight personnel about potentially adverse impacts on flights. The NOTAM system experienced an outage late Tuesday and was not restored until Wednesday at 9 a.m. EST. As of 2 p.m. on Wednesday, there were 7,974 delays and 1,199 cancellations within, into or out of the U.S., according to FlightAware data. Southwest Airlines had the most disruption, with 48% of flights delayed and 10% canceled, according to FlightAware. The disruption follows inclement weather, causing delays the week of Dec. 19, another blow to U.S. cargo carriers’ operations. [caption id="attachment_57133537" align="alignright" width="463"] A flight takes off after the Federal Aviation Administration lifted a ground stop at Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) in Arlington, Virginia, US, on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. US aviation authorities halted flights nationwide early Wednesday after the failure of a key pilot notification system operated by the Federal Aviation Administration. Photographer: Nathan Howard/Bloomberg[/caption] NOTAM NOTAM issuances “are critical notifications relating to flight operations,” Patrick Bradley, a U.S. aviation lawyer at international law firm Reed Smith, said in a statement to Air Cargo World . The system disruption is the most significant in recent decades, Bloomberg reported. There was no evidence of a cyberattack in the disruption, according to the White House. In a tweet , the FAA said it will continue to investigate the cause of the initial problem. U.S. cargo carriers respond Bradley said he anticipates the delays and cancellations will affect profitability for airlines, “many of which were recently affected by weather over the holiday season .” American Airlines resumed all operations following the nationwide ground stop, a company spokesperson told Air Cargo World . The airline continues to closely monitor the situation and is working to minimize further disruption to customers and operations. As 2 p.m., American had delayed 1,306, or about 44% of its daily flights, and canceled 190, or about 6%, on Wednesday, according to flight data. Delta Air Lines had canceled 130 flights “after all other options were exhausted,” according to a company statement. As of 11 a.m. EST, the airline was hoping to recover about 30 diversions. FlightAware reported Delta as delaying 1,075, or 37% of its flights on Wednesday. “Delta will continue to work with the FAA on strategic delay programs at certain airports throughout the day,” according to the company statement . “These are necessary to prevent further congestion on the ground and to ensure we have enough available gate space at airports.” The server outage disrupted United Airlines flights from Boston (BOS), O’Hare (ORD), Cleveland (CLE), Denver (DEN), Tamuning (GUM), Honolulu (HNL), Houston Intercontinental (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), Newark (EWR), San Francisco (SFO) and Washington Dulles (IAD), according to the carrier’s notice . Of its Wednesday flights, United delayed 36% of its flights and canceled 3%, or around 832 and 73, respectively, according to flight data.

FAA system outage disrupts US flights

Over 1,000 flights canceled in or through the US on Wednesday

Swissport avoids shutdown at ORD with union deal

From the Cockpit with Kevin Milligan of Crestone Air Partners

Related Posts

Saudia Cargo lowers Air Atlanta 747-400F ACMI support

GSP eyes secondary freighter airport network

AVi8 plans for Cambodian A321F launch in 2027

From the Cockpit with Kevin Milligan of Crestone Air Partners

Cargo Facts Free Newsletters

Cargo Facts Connect Podcast

Follow Us

Welcome Back!

Retrieve your password