All articles tagged with #air traffic
The FAA plans to reduce flights at 40 major US airports by 10% starting Friday if the government shutdown continues, due to staffing shortages among air traffic controllers, leading to increased delays and cancellations, with additional restrictions on space launches and small aircraft in certain markets.
Putin has dismissed the transport minister following disruptions caused by Ukrainian drones that have repeatedly closed Russian airspace, leading to significant financial and logistical impacts on airlines and travelers. The disruptions are part of Ukraine's military strategy to target Russian infrastructure, and the new transport minister, Starovoit, was appointed in 2024.
Taylor Swift may face parking issues for her private jet in Las Vegas this weekend due to the high demand for parking spots during the Super Bowl. The Federal Aviation Administration expects 3,500 more takeoffs and landings than usual at local airports, with about 500 aircraft being parked at those locations. The high demand has led to a shortage of parking slots, with some fixed-base operators already at full capacity and extensive waiting lists for cancellations. The FAA has implemented a slot reservation system to regulate the anticipated high volume of air traffic, and some operators believe that the regulations may need to be adjusted for future events.
Hamburg airport remains closed as a suspected hostage situation unfolds, with a man driving onto the tarmac after breaking through a security barrier. The incident is believed to be part of a family dispute, with the alleged kidnapping of a child by the father. Negotiations are ongoing, and air traffic remains suspended until further notice.
Air traffic has resumed at Germany's Hamburg airport after a police operation was conducted in response to a threat against a plane from Tehran. The threat, sent via email, prompted all landings and take-offs to be halted. The plane was searched by federal police, and the German air force escorted it after it entered German airspace due to a bomb threat. Passengers were interviewed, and the airport fire brigade was involved in the search.
The air traffic meltdown in the UK, which resulted in the cancellation of 1,500 flights and stranded thousands of passengers, was caused by a rare "one in 15 million" event, according to the CEO of traffic control provider NATS. A preliminary report revealed that a single flight plan with two identically named markers outside UK airspace caused the system to enter a fail-safe mode. Airlines are now calling for compensation and repairs to the control system, while the civil aviation regulator will review the incident. The episode could cost airlines up to £100 million ($126 million) in expenses claimed by affected passengers.
Pilots flying over eastern Colorado reported seeing strange lights in the sky, with multiple sightings confirmed by air traffic controllers. The lights appeared and disappeared near the Big Dipper constellation, with a white and greenish tint. The Federal Aviation Administration, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and Denver International Airport have not commented on the sightings. Some pilots speculated that the lights could be related to Starlink satellites, while the National UFO Reporting Center did not respond to inquiries.
Flights have resumed at D.C.-area airports after a communications equipment issue caused the Federal Aviation Administration to issue a ground stop. The ground stop impacted Reagan National Airport (DCA), Dulles International Airport (IAD), Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) and Richmond International Airport (RIC). Departing flights are now back on track, and flights from New York bound for D.C. continue. Flights from the West Coast, Midwest and Florida bound for D.C.-area airports have also resumed.