There are a lot of people who aren’t happy campers right about now. This Tuesday afternoon, United Airlines delayed all flights nationwide due to an “equipment outage,” according to an alert from the Federal Aviation Administration.
At this time it’s only been shared that the FAA made an alert noting that the airline requested that all flights be held at their departure airports—known as a ground stop—until 2 p.m. EDT. “United Airlines asked the FAA to pause the airline’s departures nationwide,” the FAA confirmed to CNN.
United spokesperson Leslie Scott also told the outlet, “We are experiencing a systemwide technology issue and are holding all aircraft at their departure airports. Flights that are already airborne are continuing to their destination as planned. We’re currently investigating and will share more information as it becomes available.” So far seven flights have been canceled and 85 have been delayed, according to the tracking site FlightAware.
This story is still developing. But as we wait for more details, this unforeseen incident highlights the critical role that technology plays in the airline industry and the potential risks associated with it.
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Passengers scheduled to fly with United Airlines are advised to check for updates from the airline and make alternative travel arrangements if necessary. This unexpected development serves as a reminder of the importance of contingency plans and preparedness in an increasingly interconnected world.
As more information becomes available, we will continue to monitor this developing story closely. Stay tuned for further updates on this breaking news regarding United Airlines’ nationwide ground stop due to a computer issue, as reported by the FAA.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg posted a message to social media Tuesday afternoon stating he was informed about the situation. “Am aware of the nationwide ground stop at United Airlines due to IT issues,” Buttigieg wrote. “FAA is currently receiving more information about the cause and scope of the issue, and DOT will make sure UA meets its obligations to affected passengers.” He went on to direct those affected to a website where they can access resources.
The secretary wrote, “If you are impacted, flightrights.gov has information about customer service commitments enforced by our department when airline problems cause you to experience major delays or cancellations.”
UPDATE: The FAA tweeted minutes ago, “Update: @united has lifted the ground stop for the U.S. and Canada.”
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