FAA “U.S.-Wide Takeoff Ban”...“Communications and Radar Disruptions”

[Financial News]  

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) completely halted aircraft takeoffs across the country on the afternoon of the 13th (local time). The FAA said it took the measure “because of an unusual situation.”
The FAA added that arriving international flights would be handled on a case-by-case basis.
The FAA said it made the decision after receiving reports that “multiple” air traffic control facilities were experiencing communications problems.
CNBC reported, citing an internal message from Alaska Airlines, that the nationwide takeoff ban was related to communications and radar problems.
The FAA said, “A nationwide takeoff ban has been issued at all airports across the United States,” adding, “This decision was made because multiple Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs) are experiencing communications problems.” The statement added, “FAA technicians are currently investigating the issue.”
Takeoff bans across the United States are very rare. The most recent instance was in January 2023, when one was imposed because of a problem with the pilot alert system. Previously, U.S. airspace was completely shut down following the September 11 attacks in 2001.
With the Thanksgiving holiday, the biggest holiday in the United States and a period of sharply increased air travel demand, coming up on the 26th, there are also concerns that air travel chaos could erupt.
Meanwhile, the ARTCC communications and radar problems may be related to the FAA’s recent nationwide expansion of SMART, its artificial intelligence (AI) air traffic control system.
The FAA previously said it had piloted the system in airspace near Washington, D.C., last September and recently expanded it to all 22 ARTCCs across the United States.
However, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) and some Democratic lawmakers have called for delaying the expansion, saying there was insufficient consultation during the design and testing process and that the system’s safety also needed to be verified.

[email protected] Song Kyung-jae Reporter