UPDATE: A nationwide ground stop for United Airlines flights has been issued, affecting major hubs including Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Denver, Houston, San Francisco, and Newark. This urgent situation, confirmed by United Airlines, is due to a significant technology issue and is causing substantial delays across the country.
As of this evening, multiple airports are holding United flights from departing, leading to a cascading series of delays. United Airlines stated, “We expect additional flight delays this evening as we work through this issue. Safety is our top priority, and we’ll work with our customers to get them to their destinations.” However, flights already in the air are unaffected and can continue to their destinations.
Video footage from O’Hare shows a lengthy line of United planes on the tarmac, waiting for gate availability. Passengers have reported receiving text messages from United informing them of the situation, indicating that the ground stop is specifically impacting United flights. The airline noted, “Due to a technology outage, we are temporarily holding some United flights at their departure airports to manage gate availability at destination airports.”
The precise number of affected flights is still unclear, but reports indicate that delays are in the hundreds and continue to rise. United Express regional flights are also experiencing some delays, particularly as they attempt to land at the airline’s hubs due to the traffic jam caused by the ground stops.
WHAT TO WATCH: Authorities have not disclosed how long the ground stops will last, but travelers are advised to check their flight status frequently and prepare for potential disruptions throughout the evening. This situation is developing rapidly, and additional updates are anticipated.
Stay tuned for more breaking news as this story unfolds, and check back with CBS News Chicago for the latest information.
