The Sky Is Falling? FAA halts flights nationwide; Bradley travelers should check with airlines

WINDSOR LOCKS - The Federal Aviation Administration stopped all departing flights at U.S. airports shortly before 4 p.m. Friday, citing "extraordinary circumstances" and "reasons of safety." That includes Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the order followed "a communication issue impacting all Air Route Traffic Control Centers," the facilities that handle planes at cruising altitude. He said FAA technicians are investigating. The FAA advisory said departures would stay grounded "until further notice." Planes already in the air were being allowed to finish their flights, and inbound international flights were being handled case by case.

At about 5 p.m., the FAA's live status page no longer listed a nationwide ground stop. It still showed Bradley closed to unscheduled international airline flights from 4:39 p.m. Friday until midnight unless they get approval six hours ahead. That kind of restriction usually means an airport is limiting diverted planes.

This is the third nationwide ground stop in recent history. The others were on Sept. 11, 2001, and Jan. 11, 2023.

Anyone flying out of Bradley tonight or this weekend should check with their airline before heading to the airport. Live airport status is posted at nasstatus.faa.gov.