FAA Halts All US Departures for Hours After Critical System Failure

All flights departing within the United States were grounded for several hours following a system failure at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The agency confirmed a problem with its Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system, which provides critical safety information to pilots.

The extensive grounding caused widespread disruption at airports nationally, leaving thousands of passengers stranded. Although the FAA stated it was working to restore the system, the operational pause lasted for hours, impacting both domestic and international travel plans originating in the US.

This incident underscores the fragility of essential aviation infrastructure and its cascading effects on global air travel. Travellers faced significant delays and cancellations, with many expressing frustration over the lack of clear information regarding when normal operations would resume.