American Airlines resumed normal operations on Tuesday, December 24, after a technical issue forced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to issue a brief nationwide ground stop, halting all flights during the peak holiday travel period.
The glitch, which lasted for about an hour, disrupted one of the busiest travel days of the year, affecting thousands of passengers heading home for the holidays.
Airline’s response
American Airlines confirmed the issue in a statement, saying:“We’re currently experiencing a technical issue with all American Airlines flights. Your safety is our utmost priority. Once this is rectified, we’ll have you safely on your way to your destination.”
By 8 a.m. ET, the airline announced the problem had been resolved and flights were back on schedule. Passengers began boarding shortly after the ground stop was lifted.
“The issue has been fixed, and flights are now back on schedule,” the airline said, adding, “We apologize for the disruption this morning and are doing everything we can to get passengers to their destinations as swiftly as possible.”
FAA ground stop
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued the ground stop at the airline’s request. Bridgett Frey, assistant administrator for communications at the FAA, said in a statement, “The ground stop has now been lifted.”
The disruption came at a critical time for holiday travel, with American Airlines reporting 3,900 scheduled flights for the day, slightly fewer than the 6,400 flights it operated the day before.
Passengers’ reactions
Social media was flooded with complaints from frustrated travelers worried about missing family reunions and holiday celebrations due to the delays.
One traveler tweeted, “Stranded at the airport on Christmas Eve… hoping to make it home before Christmas morning.”
Another added, “Not the kind of Christmas surprise we were hoping for. But glad things are back on track.”
Looking forward
As flights resumed, American Airlines assured customers it was working to minimize the impact of the glitch and restore order to its operations. The incident highlights the challenges airlines face during peak travel seasons and underscores the importance of robust technical systems to prevent disruptions.
Despite the setback, passengers expressed relief that flights resumed relatively quickly, allowing many to continue their holiday plans with minimal delay.
