All flights in the United States are grounded until further notice “due to extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety,” the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement.
The FAA issued the ground stop “following a communication issue impacting all Air Route Traffic Control Centers,” Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said in a social media post. “FAA technicians are investigating the issue.”
Air Route Traffic Control Centers are regional facilities that handle flights going across the country.
“Traffic should remain ground stopped until further notice,” the FAA said in an advisory. “International flights will be managed on a case by case basis.”
A tool that cost a little under a BILLION dollars…so far…saved $62,000? That’s the stupidest waste of taxpayer money in the last 5 minutes with this administration. And of course it saved airlines the money, while taxpayers got stuck with the $800 million dollar bill for the WalMart brand airplane route planner.
It’s not going to save anyone any money on flights because companies just pocket the difference, but does anyone know how the jet gas/ diesel/ consumer auto gas markets are connected? Is there a chance the reduced jet fuel demand reduces prices at the pump? That’s probably the bigger picture goal here even if it doesn’t actually work that way, because our government is run by dumbasses who wouldn’t even think to ask if they’re connected.
This looks like one of those large upfront costs things that saves money over the long run because new critical infrastructure systems always cost a lot upfront and need a slow rollout to prevent things like, say, grounding every single flight in the country, but long term pay for themselves. On paper I’m usually in favor of short term spend for long term savings but unfortunately this is a kleptocracy and this is an indirect handout to the airlines.