An air traffic control communication failure disrupted flight operations at several major airports across the United States on Friday, forcing authorities to ground flights over safety concerns.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the disruption, saying technicians of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) were working to identify and resolve the problem.
The aviation authorities had earlier directed that all flights be grounded, citing “extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety.”
In a statement, Duffy said the FAA was investigating the incident and would provide updates as more information became available.
Among the airports affected were Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Miami International Airport, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston.
The disruption affected flight operations across multiple parts of the country, although authorities had yet to provide further details on the cause of the communication failure.