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By Thomas Kika
Weekend Staff Writer
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All United Airlines flights across the U.S. have been grounded, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The FAA issued the alert at around 1 p.m. ET on Tuesday, just after the long Labor Day weekend. According to the alert, all United Airlines flights departing from and arriving at all airports in the U.S. were grounded at the company's request, citing an unspecified "equipment outage." Flights already en route were allowed to continue to their destination.
Little else is known about the stoppage at this time, including the exact nature of the technical issue that caused such a sweeping shutdown. In a post to X, the platform previously known as Twitter, United described the problem as a "technology issue." Subsequent reports from outlets like MSNBC have characterized the problem as a "computer issue."
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"We are experiencing a systemwide technology issue and are holding all aircraft at their departure airports," the company wrote in a post to X. "Flights that are already airborne are continuing to their destination as planned. We will share more information as it becomes available. Thank you for your patience as we work on a resolution to get you on your way as soon as possible."
The stoppage was lifted around 2 p.m. ET, shortly after it was issued. The issue at the heart of the incident was still not identified by United in its post announcing the resumption of flights.
"We have identified a fix for the technology issue and flights have resumed," the company wrote. "We're working with impacted customers to help them reach their destinations as soon as possible.
Newsweek reached out to United for more information about what caused the stoppage. The company did not address the matter in its response, providing only the statement it had previously made on X.
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United Airlines previously predicted it would have its busiest Labor Weekend ever this year, estimating that around 2.8 million passengers would fly with the company in the six-day stretch ending on Tuesday.
In a post to X shortly before the stoppage was lifted, Representative Eric Swalwell, a House Democrat from California, said that he would work to get more information about what had caused the stoppage, including any information about it potentially being the result of a "cyber threat."
"I'm in-flight on a cross-country United plane," Swalwell wrote. "As top Dem on House Cyber Subcommittee I will work to get more information to my constituents on this ground stop and whether it reflects a cyber threat. Standby."
As of Tuesday afternoon, FlightAware's Misery Map showed Denver International Airport as the most heavily impacted by delays and cancellations, followed by the Houston Airport System and Dulles International, the main airport servicing Washington, D.C.
"Am aware of the nationwide ground stop at United Airlines due to IT issues," Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg wrote in a post to X. "FAA is currently receiving more information about the cause and scope of the issue, and DOT will make sure UA meets its obligations to affected passengers."
Update 09/05/23 2:52 p.m. ET: This article was updated with more information.
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