Calgary Airports says all U.S.-bound flights are staying put while a nationwide ground stop unfolds south of the border. “We are monitoring the FAA nationwide ground stop,” Calgary Airports said in a statement Friday evening. “Departures of all U.S.-bound flights are currently being held at YYC until further notice,” Calgary Airports said. The announcement comes after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration grounded all flights in the U.S. until further notice “due to extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety” on Friday afternoon. The FAA issued the ground stop after a “communication issue impacting all Air Route Traffic Control Centers,” Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said in a Friday afternoon social media post. Flights currently in the air will be allowed to land at their scheduled destination, while international flights are being managed on a case-by-case basis. Calgary Airports’ website shows flights to multiple U.S. locations were cancelled, including Palm Springs, Orlando, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix and three locations in Hawaii. “We encourage travellers with flights scheduled for the U.S. to check with their airline for the most up-to-date information,” Calgary Airports said in a statement to CTV News. The airport says it will share more updates as it becomes available. Meanwhile, Nav Canada said in social media statement systems are operating normally as the ground stop continues in the U.S. The agency, which operates Canada’s civil air navigation system, says it continues to support the safe movement of air traffic in Canada’s airspace, including any aircraft that may be diverted. The agency also said it was implementing traffic management measures at Calgary’s airport — as well as airports in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver — to manage traffic volumes. Air Canada spokesperson Sean Davidson said the airline “is aware” of the ground stop. “The ground stop is impacting flights to and from the United States,” Davidson said in a statement. “Flights to and from the Caribbean and South America may also be impacted. “Any flights currently airborne have been advised they are permitted to continue.” WestJet also released a statement. “The safety of our guests and crew is always our highest priority,” the airline said. “As the FAA works to address the issue affecting air traffic control communications at U.S. airports, WestJet is following all regulatory direction.”
