FAA Orders Nationwide Ground Stop, Halting Flights Across Southeast

Travelers across the Southeast faced widespread flight disruptions Friday afternoon after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a nationwide ground stop, temporarily halting departing flights at airports throughout Alabama, Georgia, Florida and the rest of the United States.

The extraordinary order, issued Friday, Nov. 13, came amid serious air traffic control communications problems affecting multiple facilities responsible for managing aircraft across the country.

The FAA directed airports nationwide to suspend departures until further notice, citing safety concerns.

"All departing traffic should remain ground stopped until further notice," the agency said in its advisory.

The restrictions affect some of the Southeast's busiest airports, including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Orlando International Airport, Miami International Airport, Tampa International Airport and Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport.

In Georgia, the nationwide order also affects travelers at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, Augusta Regional Airport and other commercial airports throughout the state.

Florida airports subject to the restrictions include Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Jacksonville International Airport, Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers, Palm Beach International Airport, Pensacola International Airport and Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport.

In Alabama, the ground stop also applies to Huntsville International Airport, Mobile Regional Airport, Montgomery Regional Airport and other airports across the state.

The sweeping restrictions could create significant disruptions throughout the Southeast, particularly at Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta, a major hub for Delta Air Lines and one of the world's busiest airports.

Travelers flying through Atlanta frequently connect to destinations across Alabama, Florida and Georgia, meaning delays could extend well beyond the airports where passengers originally planned to depart.

The disruption also comes as travelers prepare for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday travel season.

According to the FAA, the nationwide ground stop followed communications problems affecting multiple Air Route Traffic Control Centers, which manage aircraft traveling through large portions of U.S. airspace.

Earlier Friday, the agency halted departures at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport because of air traffic control communications issues before expanding the restrictions nationwide.

The FAA said international flights arriving in the United States would be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Aircraft already airborne were permitted to continue toward their destinations, while flights preparing to depart were instructed to remain on the ground.

The agency said technicians were investigating the communications problems.

As of Friday afternoon, officials had not announced when normal departures would resume or provided comprehensive figures for delayed and canceled flights at airports across the Southeast.

Travelers scheduled to fly Friday were encouraged to check directly with their airlines before heading to the airport, as departure times and connecting flights could change with little notice.

Passengers can also monitor the FAA's National Airspace System Status website for updates on airport operations and flight restrictions.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.