14.11.2026 07:20
Due to technical malfunctions in radar and communication systems in the US, flights across the country were halted for approximately 4.5 hours. More than 10,000 flights were delayed, while more than 1,700 flights were canceled. After the decision that caused major disruptions in aviation, Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin stated, "It is not another 9/11," and announced that no finding of a malicious attack had been found. While the flight ban was lifted, it was stated that the effects of the crisis could last for days.
Technical problems in air traffic control systems in the United States led to a major aviation crisis across the country. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) decided to temporarily halt flights nationwide due to extraordinary conditions and risks to flight safety.
Following the decision, serious disruptions occurred in air transportation. More than 10,000 flights were delayed nationwide, while over 1,700 flights were canceled.
RADAR AND RADIO COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS EXPERIENCED DISRUPTION
The suspension of flights was caused by malfunctions in radar and radio communication systems, it was announced.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that the problem in the systems was being investigated in detail by FAA officials.
Duffy said that radar and communication systems were not completely out of service, but the imbalances experienced posed a risk to flight safety, so a precautionary decision was taken.
FLIGHT BAN LIFTED AFTER 4.5 HOURS
After the flight suspension decision, which lasted approximately 4.5 hours, it was announced that the airspace had been reopened.
However, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized that lifting the ban did not mean all flights would immediately return to normal.
Duffy, noting that air traffic would gradually return to normal, said work was continuing to operate as many flights as possible.
"NOT ANOTHER SEPTEMBER 11"
US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, in a statement at the White House, said the problem was caused by a telecommunications outage across the FAA.
Mullin, saying that the situation of aircraft in the air was under control and that landings would be carried out in order of priority, announced that no findings had been found indicating the incident was an attack.
Mullin said, "As of now, there is no indication whatsoever that this was a malicious attack against us; the situation consists solely of a telecommunications outage."
The Homeland Security Secretary emphasized that what happened did not pose a security threat to the American people and should not be considered another "September 11."
FBI INVESTIGATING POSSIBILITY OF SOFTWARE UPDATE
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced that it was investigating whether the disruption in air transportation was caused by a software update.
Homeland Security Secretary Mullin rejected assessments that the incident was linked to Microsoft.
Mullin, stating that no evidence of a cyberattack had been found so far, said technical investigations were continuing.
WARNING TO 42 COUNTRIES INCLUDING TÜRKİYE
The crisis in the US also affected international air transportation.
It was stated that the FAA asked Eurocontrol, Europe's air traffic management organization, to suspend flights to the US from 42 European countries, including Türkiye, Spain, Sweden and Ukraine.
Thus, the impact of the technical disruptions in the US exceeded national borders and was reflected in flights from Europe as well.
TRUMP: THE PROBLEM STEMS FROM OLD INFRASTRUCTURE
US President Donald Trump, in a statement to Fox News, argued that the crisis was not caused by a cyberattack or artificial intelligence.
Trump's statements, noting that the problem stemmed from aging aviation infrastructure, were supported by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
Duffy said there had been no disruption in new AI-supported systems, and that the problems had emerged in old hardware.
IT RECALLED SEPTEMBER 11 AND THE 2023 CRISIS
The nationwide halt to flights in the US brought back memories of major aviation crises in the past.
In January 2023, flights nationwide were halted for about two hours due to a technical failure in FAA systems. A more comprehensive air traffic halt decision was taken after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
While it was assessed that the effects of the latest crisis could continue for days, Democrats demanded a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
FAA'S BILLION-DOLLAR BUDGET IS BEING DEBATED
Efforts to renew US aviation infrastructure also began to be debated again with the crisis.
It was stated that the FAA received a budget of 12.5 billion dollars from Congress last year to renew aging aviation systems, replace cables and modernize technical infrastructure.
It was reported that the White House also requested an additional budget of 30 billion dollars for the renewal of systems.
After the latest outage, the reliability of the existing infrastructure and the adequacy of modernization efforts began to be questioned again.