US Transportation Secretary: Restoring Normal Air Traffic Will Take Some Time
Press coverage 2 newspapers covered this event: Al-Rai · KUNA →Sean Duffy confirmed that restoring normal air traffic in the United States will take a considerable amount of time.
Translated by Qiyas from كونا — Original source
Washington, Nov 14 (KUNA) – U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said early Saturday that restoring normal air traffic in the United States will take some time, noting that reopening airspace does not mean an immediate resumption of all flights, as operations will return gradually. Speaking at a joint press conference with Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Duffy said authorities had identified the fault that caused the disruption and that air traffic control centers and approach control facilities had resumed operations. He affirmed that all passengers and flight crews were safe and that no flights were at risk.
Duffy explained that approximately 3,500 aircraft were airborne at the time the flight suspension order was issued following a communications problem between aircraft and radar systems. He added that authorities had reviewed what happened, pinpointed the faults, and restored the affected systems. He pointed out that the incident highlighted the urgent need to update the aviation sector’s infrastructure, noting that some air navigation and surveillance systems date back decades, while some air traffic control towers are over a century old.
Duffy stressed that the United States needs about $50 billion to modernize air traffic control systems, along with investments in airports and control towers nationwide. He warned that if Congress fails to provide the necessary funding, it would affect the safety and efficiency of the air navigation system. He added that a presidential team is working to create a new, advanced air traffic management system, but Congress has not yet approved the required funding. He emphasized that current financial resources are insufficient to modernize the air transport sector and that urgent funding is needed to address the emergency.
In the same context, the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary said the department is coordinating with airports, local communities, cities, and states to ensure assistance is provided to stranded passengers affected by the air traffic disruption. Mullin confirmed that no cyberattack was behind the halt in air traffic, noting that investigations are ongoing to determine all circumstances of the incident. (End) A.M.M. / M.M.J.
