Update: The FAA has lifted its nationwide ground stop, flights at regional airports may still face delays as service resumes. Here is the original story:
All flights nationwide are ordered grounded due to communications issues, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The FAA ordered the ground stop around 4:15 p.m. because of communications issues at regional air traffic control centers, the agency said. The Department of Homeland Security said there’s no indication the incident is a threat to the country and was due to a “telecommunications outage.”
At MacArthur Airport, where fewer than 10 flights were scheduled to depart tonight, passengers are deciding whether to wait up to four-to-six hours they were told, or purchase tickets for trains tonight or flights tomorrow.
Caroline Smith, a Town of Islip spokesperson, said the town was notified by Air Traffic Control around 4 p.m., ahead of the FAA’s announcement. Three departures and three arrivals are delayed as of 5:30 p.m., with no cancellations, according to Smith.
MacArthur Airport is not reporting any operational issues, but Smith said "the longer the FAA communications outage continues, the greater the potential for delays and cancellations tomorrow and over the next few days as airlines work to reposition aircraft and crews and restore their networks."
“Passengers are encouraged to check directly with their airlines for flight updates before arriving at the airport,” Smith said.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information comes in.
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