Nationwide ground stop hits Grand Forks International Airport

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.

The Details

GRAND FORKS — A nationwide Federal Aviation Administration ground stop halted departing air travel across the country Friday afternoon, holding up at least one flight at Grand Forks International Airport.

The FAA issued the ground stop "due to extraordinary circumstances and reasons for safety," according to ABC News.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the alert stems from a communications issue affecting all 22 regional air route traffic control centers that direct planes between airports nationwide, according to the ABC report.

In Grand Forks, Flight 4330 to Minneapolis — originally scheduled to depart shortly before 4 p.m. — was held on the ground as the stop entered its second hour, according to Ryan Riesinger, executive director of Grand Forks International Airport.

Riesinger noted that the disruption is tied to the broader FAA communication problem rather than a local airport issue.

The disruption was "literally across the entire country right now, due to an air traffic control tower communication issue, as best as I can understand," Riesinger said Friday afternoon. "I'm just gleaning information like everybody else at this point."

While Riesinger did not have exact passenger counts for the delayed Minneapolis flight, he urged anyone with upcoming travel plans to check directly with their airline for the latest updates.

"We're just gathering information right now as well," he said. "Anyone that has travel plans, they should be receiving information from their airline."

Riesinger also said that as of 4:15 p.m., passengers on Flight 4330 remained in the gate area at GFK, with some trying to rebook flights. He said it’s unknown when the ground stop will be lifted.

While FAA technicians investigate the problem, the Homeland Security secretary stated there is no indication of a “nefarious act” behind the outage, according to Friday afternoon’s ABC report.. Under the order, flights already in the air are permitted to land and international flights are being managed on a case-by-case basis, while all departing domestic traffic must remain on the ground until further notice. The nationwide halt came shortly after the FAA stopped air traffic in Chicago due to air traffic control issues.

Friday's order marks only the second nationwide ground stop in the United States since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, according to ABC News.

• Comments
• Share this article
• News Reporting
• News Reporting

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.

What is this?

• Tags
• Tags
• EDUCATION
• By
• Adam Kurtz

Adam Kurtz is the community editor for the Grand Forks Herald. He covers higher education and other topics in Grand Forks County and the city.

Kurtz joined the Herald in July 2019. He covered business and county government topics before covering higher education and some military topics.

Tips and story ideas are welcome. Get in touch with him at [email protected], or DM at @ByAdamKurtz.

• Desk: 701-780-1110
• Twitter
• Listen to this article
• Conversation
• What To Read Next
• News

East Grand Forks School Board hears post-mortem report on failed bond referendums 3d ago By Carter DeJong News Results of superintendent evaluation survey shared at Grand Forks School Board meeting 3d ago By Carter DeJong News Cuts likely after East Grand Forks School District voters reject ballot measures 4d ago By Carter DeJong Get Local Must Reads Subscribers Only UND Hockey Live updates: No.

8 UND at St. Thomas 3h ago By Brad Elliott Schlossman Local UND working on tribal consultation policy 3h ago By Delaney Otto Prep Harvey-Wells County spoils Langdon Area-Munich's Dakota Bowl repeat bid with early strikes 3h ago By Maxwell Marko The Vault The Forensic Investigator episode explores relationship between law enforcement, journalists 6h ago By Staff reports