United Airlines Halts Multiple Flights Amid Technical Glitch; Thousands Stranded Across Major U.S. Airports
United Airlines, one of the largest carriers in the U.S., was forced to suddenly halt several of its key flights on Wednesday due to a major technical glitch, leaving thousands of passengers stranded at various airports. The airline acknowledged the disruption and said more delays are expected later in the evening.
In an official statement, United Airlines said, “Due to a technical issue, we have temporarily paused departures for our mainline flights at several airports. We are actively working to resolve the problem and resume normal operations. Passenger safety remains our top priority, and we are committed to getting travelers to their destinations as soon as possible.”
FAA Issues Ground Stop Orders
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which regulates all air travel within the United States, also issued ground stop orders for United Airlines flights. The directive impacted several major hubs, including Denver International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, George Bush Intercontinental in Houston, and Chicago O’Hare.
The temporary halt created chaos and frustration for travelers, many of whom were stuck inside airport terminals with no clear updates on when their flights would resume. Social media was flooded with complaints and footage of long queues, stranded families, and travelers seeking alternate arrangements.
Not the First Technical Setback for U.S. Aviation
This latest incident adds to a series of technical setbacks that have plagued U.S. aviation in recent months. Just last month, Alaska Airlines experienced a similar disruption, with flights grounded for several hours due to a system malfunction. Earlier this year, the air traffic control system at Newark Airport also failed multiple times, affecting hundreds of flights.
In a more tragic incident, a collision between a commercial airplane and a military helicopter near Washington in January led to the deaths of dozens of people, sparking renewed concerns about safety protocols within U.S. airspace.
As investigations into the cause of United’s technical glitch continue, passengers are advised to check their flight status regularly and stay in contact with the airline for rebooking and updates.
