WASHINGTON — Aging communications equipment became overloaded and created instability in the nation’s air traffic control system before the FAA halted departures nationwide Friday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said.
The Federal Aviation Administration issued the nationwide ground stop after communications problems affected multiple Air Route Traffic Control Centers. Duffy said radar and communications data became inconsistent at centers and terminal radar approach control facilities, prompting the agency to stop departures as a precaution. More than 3,500 aircraft were airborne when the problems developed.
Duffy attributed the disruption to older telecommunications equipment, including analog systems, switches and routers that became overloaded. He said newer IP-based switches already installed as part of the FAA’s modernization program did not fail.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said officials had found no evidence of a cyberattack, although the incident remained under review.
The disruption renewed the Trump administration’s push for additional money to replace the aging air traffic control system. Duffy said $12.5 billion has already been provided toward modernization but called on Congress to provide $50 billion in emergency funding for a broader rebuild.
The FAA began releasing traffic in stages as communications systems recovered, though airlines faced delays as aircraft and crews were repositioned.
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