FAA lifts brief nationwide ground stop for United Airlines

KEY POINTS

• A brief nationwide ground stop for United Airlines flights was lifted after the carrier experienced computer issues, the Federal Aviation Administration said.
• Ground stops halt flights at their origin of departure, not at their arrival destination.
• "Earlier today a software update caused a widespread slowdown in United's technology systems," United said in a statement.

A United Airlines plane takes off as the Air Force One planeâs wing is seen at San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco, June 21, 2023.

Tayfun Coskun | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images

A brief nationwide ground stop for United Airlines flights was lifted Tuesday, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

"Earlier today a software update caused a widespread slowdown in United's technology systems," United said in a statement.

"We briefly held aircraft at their origin airports and resumed normal operations around 12:45 p.m. CT.," the airline said. "Our teams are working to get customers to their destinations as soon as possible."

The ground stop lasted slightly more than an hour and did not affect aircraft already in flight when it was called. United is investigating the cause of the slowdown but does not believe it is a cybersecurity issue.

United's stock price closed more than 2% lower Tuesday.