Delta, United and American Airlines flights grounded due to communication issue, FAA says
All flights from several major US airlinesmorning due to a communication issue, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The ground stop impacts all flights from the airlines, regardless of their destination, said the FAA.
It’s unclear how long the ground stop will last, though the FAA suggested an update would be available by 5 a.m. ET.
Their grounding comes after a significant Microsoft outage brought Frontier Airlines to a standstill for hours on Thursday – though the ground stop for those airlines has since been lifted.
Earlier Thursday, Frontier said its systems had been impacted by the outage, and offered refunds to inconvenienced passengers.
Other competitors including Allegiant and SunCountry also said they were having difficulties, including with their booking, check-in and trip-managing functions online.
The FAA also announced Friday morning all Allegiant flights would be grounded.
On the Azure cloud software status report site, Microsoft said that service went down for some customers in the central United States around 6 p.m. ET, “including failures with service management operations and connectivity or availability of services.”
The company said it determined the cause and is working to fix it. A company spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A number of international airlines also reported tech disruptions on Friday, including Virgin Australia and Qantas, along with airports across Europe and Asia-Pacific.
In an unprecedented incident, several major US airlines experienced a complete halt to their flight operations early this morning due to a significant communication issue. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed the situation, emphasizing that the ground stop affects all flights from these airlines, irrespective of their intended destinations. This disruption has caused widespread confusion and inconvenience for passengers nationwide.The Federal Aviation Administration, the body responsible for regulating all aspects of civil aviation in the United States, has been working tirelessly to address this issue. They have indicated that further updates on the situation will be available by 5 a.m. ET, although it remains unclear how long this ground stop will persist. Passengers are urged to stay tuned for these updates to get the latest information on their travel plans.This grounding comes hot on the heels of a major outage experienced by Microsoft, which left Frontier Airlines’ operations at a standstill for several hours on Thursday. Although the ground stop for Frontier has since been lifted, the impact of the outage was profound, causing significant delays and frustration for many travelers.Frontier Airlines, which was severely affected by the Microsoft outage, reported that their systems had been compromised, resulting in widespread operational disruptions. In response, the airline offered refunds to passengers who were inconvenienced by the delays and cancellations. This gesture was aimed at mitigating some of the frustration and financial loss experienced by their customers.The technical difficulties were not limited to Frontier Airlines alone. Other airlines, including Allegiant and SunCountry, also reported issues with their online booking, check-in, and trip management functions. These problems have compounded the challenges faced by passengers trying to navigate their travel plans amidst the chaos.In a further development, the FAA announced on Friday morning that all Allegiant flights would be grounded. This decision was made in light of the ongoing technical difficulties and as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and security of all passengers and crew.The root cause of these widespread disruptions appears to be linked to a major outage in Microsoft’s Azure cloud services. According to the Azure cloud software status report site, the service went down for some customers in the central United States around 6 p.m. ET. This outage resulted in failures with service management operations and disrupted the connectivity and availability of various services essential for airline operations.Microsoft has acknowledged the issue and stated that they have identified the cause. The company is currently working on resolving the problem to restore full functionality. A spokesperson for Microsoft, however, has not yet responded to requests for additional comments on the situation.The ripple effects of this outage have extended beyond the United States, with several international airlines reporting similar technical disruptions. Virgin Australia and Qantas, two major carriers in the Asia-Pacific region, experienced significant operational challenges due to the outage. Airports across Europe and the Asia-Pacific have also reported disruptions, highlighting the global scale of the problem.Passengers traveling with these international airlines have faced delays, cancellations, and an overall increase in travel-related stress. The airlines are working diligently to address these issues and provide support to their customers, but the scale of the disruptions has made it a daunting task.The aviation industry, which relies heavily on advanced communication and IT systems to ensure smooth operations, has been grappling with these challenges. The recent events underscore the vulnerability of these systems and the far-reaching impact of technical failures. As airlines and technology providers work to restore normalcy, passengers are left in limbo, unsure of when they will be able to continue their journeys.The FAA and other regulatory bodies are likely to conduct thorough investigations into the cause of these disruptions to prevent future occurrences. Airlines are also expected to review their contingency plans and bolster their IT infrastructure to withstand such incidents in the future.In the meantime, passengers are advised to stay in close contact with their airlines for the latest updates on their flights. Many airlines are offering options for rebooking, refunds, and compensation for affected passengers. Travelers are encouraged to make use of these options and remain patient as airlines work through the backlog of affected flights.The recent disruptions serve as a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of the global aviation industry and the critical role of technology in its smooth functioning. As the industry navigates these challenges, the focus remains on restoring normalcy and ensuring the safety and satisfaction of passengers worldwide.In conclusion, the grounding of flights across several major US airlines due to a communication issue has caused widespread disruption. The situation, compounded by a significant Microsoft outage, highlights the vulnerability of the aviation industry’s reliance on advanced IT systems. As efforts continue to resolve these issues, passengers are left to deal with the uncertainty and inconvenience caused by these unprecedented events. The aviation industry will undoubtedly learn from this experience and take steps to enhance the resilience of their operations in the future.
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