US flight disruption affects 15,000 flights; ageing system needs billions — Pajhwok

KABUL (Pajhwok): Around 5,000 flights were cancelled and more than 10,000 delayed in the United States due to a problem with the air traffic control system. Although the nationwide flight suspension order was later lifted, an additional $30.1 billion has been requested to modernise the country’s ageing aviation system. According to Reuters, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Friday ordered a nationwide suspension of flights due to a problem with its air traffic control communications system. US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said technical problems had affected air traffic control centres responsible for monitoring flights in different parts of the country. Citing flight-tracking website FlightAware, National Public Radio (NPR) reported that by 8pm on Friday, US time, more than 10,000 flights had been delayed and around 5,000 others cancelled across the country. The FAA lifted the flight suspension order after about four hours. However, disruptions to flight schedules meant that it would take time for air transport operations to return to normal. Meanwhile, US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said preliminary information indicated that the problem had been caused by a disruption in the communications system. He added that no evidence had so far been found suggesting that the incident was the result of a deliberate attack. According to Reuters, the US air traffic control system has for years faced…