Aerial photo of JFK Airport, New York. Photo: Nate Hovee / Shutterstock After last night's report of significant disruptions to flight operations in the United States, caused by problems with air traffic control systems and equipment in the Philadelphia area, a calmer picture is emerging this morning, September 22, in the northeast.
According to official updates from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), during the event last night, Ground Stop orders were activated at major airports, including Newark (EWR), JFK Airport and Philadelphia (PHL).
This means that flights that were scheduled to depart from other airports to the affected airports were required to remain on the ground at the airport of departure and await takeoff clearance. This is a measure used by the FAA when the destination airport cannot accommodate the planned volume of traffic, due to, among other things, a malfunction, weather or air traffic control restrictions.
In Philadelphia, the FAA reported problems with air traffic control equipment and automation systems last night. At one point, flights to the airport resumed, but at limited capacity.
This morning: The exceptional restrictions from last night are not active.
In the FAA's operational update for the morning of September 22, those unusual ground stops that affected New York and Philadelphia last night are no longer listed as operational restrictions.
However, the US flight day could still be disrupted. The FAA is preparing for the possibility of flight delays or ground stops at several major airports throughout the day.
Among other things, there is a possibility of restrictions at LaGuardia in New York as well as Boston, Washington Reagan, San Francisco, San Diego and Seattle.
Florida may also experience disruptions. The FAA indicates the possibility of restrictions in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, and later in Orlando and Tampa. Factors that may affect operations today include thunderstorms, low cloud cover, winds, and runway construction and restrictions at several airports.
In conclusion, as of this morning, the American aviation system is still expected to deal with localized disruptions and possible restrictions throughout the day.
Passengers planning to fly today in the United States or transit through a major airport are advised to check their specific flight status with the airline before arriving at the airport.