Thousands of passengers travelling to and from UK airports were caught up in widespread delays and confusion after US authorities imposed an exceptionally rare nationwide ground stop.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) temporarily suspended all flights across the United States, citing “extraordinary circumstances” and safety concerns.
The restriction was lifted several hours later on Friday after a major communications failure disrupted aviation operations across the country.
The full impact on UK travellers remains uncertain. At Heathrow, passengers described “real confusion” after a British Airways service bound for New York was diverted during the disruption.
The aircraft returned to the airport at approximately 11pm after first landing in Ireland because of a medical emergency on board.
British Airways flight BA-113 left Heathrow at 5pm and was heading for JFK Airport when it was forced to divert to Shannon. The plane was reportedly carrying 171 passengers and crew.
One traveller, who identified himself as Richard, said: “We were flying to New York when the crew told us there had been a medical emergency. We landed in Shannon, and everything became completely confusing. Then reports began emerging that flights across America had been grounded.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) suspended departures throughout the US after a major communications failure. Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is pictured above
Passengers waited at New York’s JFK International Airport during the nationwide ground stop
“I noticed a Bloomberg alert about what was happening in the US and showed it to a flight attendant. She had not heard about it.
“At first, we thought we would remain in Ireland. Then we were told we would return to the UK. Now that we are back in Britain, we have no idea how we will get home.”
Another passenger said the disruption had left him desperate to reach the US, adding: “I need to get back to America urgently, which is why I booked a Friday evening flight. It is absolute madness.
“I now have no idea how I will get there. It is going to be carnage. There is complete confusion.”
British Airways apologised to customers on X for the delays and advised passengers to go to the airport at their scheduled departure time unless told otherwise.
The airline also told one customer that Saturday’s flights were expected to operate, while warning that the situation remained fluid and changes could not be ruled out.
London Gatwick Airport is understood to have experienced only limited disruption.
The FAA said the problems stemmed from a temporary telecommunications outage. “Out of an abundance of caution, all flights have been halted,” it said, adding that every aircraft had been accounted for and international arrivals would be dealt with individually.
The agency also gave airlines up to four hours to submit flight plans because the communications breakdown was affecting air traffic control centres.
By 6pm on Friday, more than 15,000 flights had been delayed and approximately 1,700 cancelled, according to flight-tracking service FlightAware.
In the UK, Cirium reported that more than 4,000 flights had either been cancelled or listed as “no-fly”.
An aviation source familiar with the incident told CNN that radar systems and radio frequencies used by air traffic controllers had failed at the same time in several locations around the country.
The source said controllers were still trying to establish what had triggered the failures and how extensive the disruption was.
Another airline source told CNN that the FAA had not yet identified the cause and that different facilities were experiencing the outage in different ways.
“They were on a crisis call just ten minutes ago, and there was still no definitive answer about what caused it,” the source said.
Three Virgin Atlantic flights scheduled to depart for the US on Saturday morning would have been affected if the communications problem had not been resolved.
A Virgin Atlantic spokesman said: “We are aware of the ground stop order issued by the Federal Aviation Administration for all US airports.
“We are closely monitoring developments and assessing the possible impact on our services. Customers due to travel should check their flight status at virginatlantic.com.”
The FAA directed departing aircraft across the US to remain on the ground until the nationwide restriction was lifted
A British Airways spokesman said: “Flights departing the United States may face delays while the air traffic control problem continues.
“Customers should arrive at the airport as planned so we can work to get flights moving as quickly as possible.
“The situation is outside our control, but our teams are doing everything they can to limit the disruption.”
Aer Lingus said flights arriving in the US were still permitted to land, while some departures from the country were being authorised.
The airline added: “We continue to monitor developments closely and will contact customers affected by the disruption.
“Passengers should keep checking aerlingus.com for the latest information.”
Bloomberg reported that investigators were examining whether a failed software update could have caused the widespread systems outage.
However, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said there was no indication of deliberate interference.
Mr Mullin said: “There is no reason for the public to be frightened or worried about loved ones. This is not another 9/11. It is a telecommunications outage.
“The FAA grounded flights nationwide as a precaution, and every aircraft has been accounted for.
“Incoming international services and planes already in the air will be handled individually. As you can imagine, there will be a priority order as they arrive.”
He added: “Everyone is safe. There is no reason to be concerned about loved ones who may be flying. I want to reassure the public that they are not in danger.”
The secretary said there was “no indication” the outage was the result of a hostile attack, describing it instead as a telecommunications failure.
Mr Mullin acknowledged that the incident amounted to “a crisis”.
He said: “Every agency with assets involved is working together. I do not want to call this a crisis, but it is one because a nationwide ground stop was necessary.”
He continued: “This is what the government is prepared to handle. We are well positioned and communicating effectively.
“The president took charge immediately and provided the resources and communication channels needed to respond quickly.”
Mr Mullin cautioned that restoring normal operations would take time and warned travellers not to expect the situation to be resolved within an hour.
“This will take some time, but once again, everyone is safe and all flights have been accounted for. There should be no reason for the public to be afraid,” he said.
An American Airlines spokesman said: “The FAA has temporarily paused departures across the country.
“Flights that are already airborne can continue to their destinations.
“Depending on how long the nationwide ground stop lasts, we expect our schedule to remain disrupted for the rest of the day.
“Once the FAA lifts the restriction, everyone at American Airlines will be working to help customers continue their journeys as quickly as possible.”