Nationwide ground stop lifted after affecting flights at Savannah airport

by Summer Swanson, Christa Ross, Robert Chase, Cam McCann, Laethon Bumgardner , Stephanie Adkisson

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - A nationwide ground stop that affected departing flights at airports across the country, including Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, has been lifted.

SEE: Nationwide ground stop lifted after flights halted for hours across US, FAA says

The Federal Aviation Administration issued the ground stop Friday, citing “extraordinary circumstances” caused by communications problems at regional air traffic control centers. The nation’s top homeland security official attributed the problem to a telecommunications outage and said there was no indication the communications failure was related to a cyberattack.

SEE: Flights halted at airports across US due to air traffic control communications problems, FAA says

Flight delays are expected. The FAA has not announced when normal operations will resume.

Travelers should check directly with their airline for the latest flight information before heading to the airport.

Local airport officials said they are monitoring the situation and will share updates as they become available.

WTOC crews at the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport said the biggest concern for people at the airport Friday night was the lack of rental cars available due to the ground stop.

We spoke with a group of travelers who told us they are now driving, instead of flying to Detroit, Michigan.