US FAA orders nationwide ground stop for all flights | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News - NHKニュース

The US Federal Aviation Administration has ordered a nationwide ground stop for all airports on Friday.

Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy posted on social media that there was a "communication issue" affecting air traffic control centers. The FAA said it is taking the measure due to "extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety." It said it is investigating the issue and inbound international flights will be managed on a "case by case basis."

Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin told reporters in Washington that there is currently no evidence that it was an "attack" against the United States. He said it does not pose a safety risk to the public and it is not "another 9/11." He dismissed any link to connectivity problems at Microsoft, calling them "separate issues."