The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
‘Some delays’ still possible for flights as FAA ground stop lifted, YYC says
All U.S.-bound flights from Calgary International Airport were ordered to halt Friday evening while a nationwide ground stop unfolded south of the border.
Calgary Airports halted all flights bound for the United States on Friday afternoon after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration grounded all flights in the U.S. until further notice due to an unspecified issue affecting air traffic control communications.
The FAA later lifted the ground stop shortly before 8 p.m. U.S. officials said there was no indication the communications failure was related to a cyberattack.
Calgary Airports reported in an 8 p.m. statement to CTV News that all Friday flights to “the lower 48 states” were cancelled and that some delays were still possible across other routes.
Nav Canada indicated it would continue working to keep air traffic moving safely and effectively in Canadian airspace as flights began taking off again.
Air Canada acknowledged awareness of the ground stop and noted that any flights already airborne were advised they could continue, while later messages indicated all flights to and from the United States were cancelled for the rest of the night.
WestJet stated that the safety of guests and crew is a priority and that, while the FAA addressed the air traffic control communications issue at U.S. airports, the airline would follow regulatory directions.