United Airlines grounds all flights out of U.S. and Canada for second time in a month amid safety concerns
Overnight ground stop followed a brief connectivity issue. United says operations have resumed and safety remains the priority as the carrier experiences a second disruption in four weeks.
United Airlines grounded all departures from the United States and Canada for a second time in roughly a month Tuesday night, citing a technological issue. The airline asked the Federal Aviation Administration to issue a ground stop, which lasted about 30 minutes, after a brief connectivity problem just before midnight Central time. United said it has since resumed normal operations.
With about 4,000 to 5,000 flights daily, the stoppage likely disrupted travel for hundreds of thousands of passengers. It marked the second instance in a month in which United halted departures over an undisclosed 'technical glitch.' Earlier in August, United flights were halted at several busy U.S. airports, including Newark, Denver, Houston and Chicago. United told the Daily Mail the cause was a technology issue tied to the weight and balance computer system and stressed that it was not a cyberattack. The stoppage did not affect aircraft already in the air, ABC's Sam Sweeney reported.
FlightAware data from August’s stoppage showed 1,071 United flights delayed and 67 canceled as the ground halt spread across major hubs. United said it would assist affected travelers in rebooking and would provide updates as the situation evolved.
The repeated ground stops underscore ongoing sensitivity around airline operations and safety checks, with passengers again facing delays and disruptions as the carrier works through the technical issue and regulators monitor the situation. The incident remains a developing story, with officials and the airline continuing to assess next steps and potential systemic implications.