Update to an earlier report: This article includes new information about a story we previously covered. Read our earlier report.
Delta had stopped all departures during Friday’s nationwide Federal Aviation Administration ground stop, disrupting flights at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and across the airline’s network. As of Friday afternoon, FlightAware listed 759 delays and 258 cancellations affecting flights within, into or out of the United States at the Atlanta airport.
Delta said aircraft already in the air were continuing to their destinations. The airline also offered customers with flexible travel plans the option to change flights without extra cost. Its announcement did not identify which travel dates or fare classes qualify for the waiver.
FlightAware’s airport tally came as the FAA’s departure-delay program averaged 90 minutes. Delta advised travelers to check flight status through its app or website.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said a temporary communications problem affected all U.S. Air Route Traffic Control Centers. The FAA said technicians were investigating the issue and flights had been halted as a precaution.
Delta and federal aviation officials had not given an estimated time for lifting the ground stop or safely restarting departures. Officials had also not disclosed what caused the communications problem.
Marcus Jones
News Now Georgia
