SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Bay Area airports were allowed to return to normal operations late Friday afternoon after the Federal Aviation Administration lifted a nationwide ground stop.
The ground stop was ended about 5:30 p.m. local time, airport officials said on social media, after flights were grounded by the FAA, citing a communication issue impacting air traffic control centers
U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the stoppage at about 1:15 p.m. and said that FAA technicians were investigating the issue.
FAA officials on social media characterized the issue as “a temporary telecommunications outage” and said all flights have been accounted for, while international flights “will be handled on a case-by-case basis.”
FAA GROUND STOP LIVE UPDATES: What to know as nationwide flights are grounded
The ground stop has affected flights at all Bay Area airports.
San Francisco
San Francisco International Airport officials said as of 3 p.m. that Pacific-bound flights were cleared to take off from SFO, including destinations in Hawaii and Asia.
SFO officials told ABC7 News that travelers should expect delays into the weekend.
Stranded travelers have been scrambling to find lodgings amid the ground stop.
A Wisconsin couple traveling from SFO told ABC7 News they booked a $300 hotel room after their flight was canceled. Minutes later, hotel prices had shot up to $700.
Oakland
Several flights have been canceled at Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport, with at least 11 reported canceled as of 4 p.m.
OAK released a statement: Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK) is aware of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) nationwide ground stop. OAK is experiencing impacts consistent with the nationwide FAA action, including potential delays and disruptions to departing and arriving flights.
San Jose
At San José Mineta International Airport, some flights were already boarded when the ground stop began.
Passengers say they were stranded on the planes for hours before deplaning and waiting for baggage.
Lines at the Southwest Airlines counter of Terminal B grew as people waited to rebook their flights and reclaim their luggage.
Passenger Daniel Wilson checked two bags, heading to Northern Virginia. He was waiting in line to get his bags back.
“There is some urgency because I have doctor’s appointments and upcoming surgery, so it is important that I get out in the next couple of days. But fortunately, travel today, specifically, was not required,” he said.
On the side of SJC’s baggage claim, airline staff organized suitcases by flight to help travelers exit swiftly.
Nearly two dozen flights in and out of San José have already been canceled as a result of the nationwide ground stop. This could impact flights in the coming days.
San Jose State University’s football team was on a charter plane, taxiing at SJC when the ground stop occurred. Players were on the plane for about three hours before they could deplane and return to SJSU. The team is scheduled to play against the U.S. Air Force tomorrow.
Airport officials advised people to check with their airline for their latest flight information.
Bay City News contributed to this report.
Stay with ABC7 News for the latest details on this developing story.
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