Lois Larson
A ground stop is an air traffic control measure that requires aircraft that meet certain criteria to remain on the ground. Ground stops are implemented due to reduced airport capacity and are normally a result of equipment outages, weather, traffic volume, construction, security incidents, or other events. They can be airport-specific, equipment-specific, or airspace-specific, and they can have downstream effects, causing flights to be delayed or canceled. Ground stops are a common safety tool utilized by aviation administrations to control air traffic volume and ensure safe aircraft accommodation at busy airports, especially during peak times.
What does an airport ground stop mean?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | An air traffic control measure that slows or halts the flow of aircraft that meet certain criteria. |
| Criteria | Aircraft inbound to a given airport, airport-specific, equipment-specific, airspace-specific, geographical area, the environment, or the aircraft itself. |
| Reasons | Weather, traffic volume, construction, VIP movements, security incidents, special events, equipment outages, airport gridlocks, airborne holding, saturation levels, staffing shortages, and safety issues. |
| Notification | The local ATC Tower must notify the FAA ATCSCC to distribute an alert to the affected airports and airlines. |
| Scope | Determined by the en route center, known as the Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC). |
| Tiers | First, second, and third, each representing the geographical area based on the ARTCC boundaries set by the air traffic management (ATM). |
| Timing | Ground stops normally occur with little or no warning. |
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What You'll Learn
- Ground stops are a safety tool to control air traffic volume
- They are implemented with little to no warning
- Ground stops are issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- They are caused by factors like weather, traffic volume, construction, security incidents, etc
- Ground stops can be airport-specific, equipment-specific, or airspace-specific
Ground stops are a safety tool to control air traffic volume
Ground stops are a safety tool used by air traffic control to slow or halt the flow of aircraft to a given airport. They are implemented to ensure safe aircraft accommodation at busy airports, especially during peak times, and are a common measure to control air traffic volume.
Ground stops are typically implemented with little or no warning, and they require aircraft that meet certain criteria to remain on the ground. The criteria could be specific to the airport, the geographical area, the environment, or the equipment. For example, a ground stop could be called due to extreme weather conditions, such as a blizzard or hurricane, or it could be due to equipment outages or security incidents.
The decision to implement a ground stop is made by traffic managers, who define the scope of the stop based on distance, center, or tier. The most common reason for a ground stop is weather. If the destination airport or route requires additional safety measures due to inclement weather, a flight will not be able to depart until the ground stop is lifted. For instance, a ground stop in Newark Liberty International Airport will result in aircraft destined for Newark from other airports being unable to depart until the ground stop is lifted.
Ground stops can have downstream effects, causing flight delays or cancellations and affecting the ability of planes and flight crews to reach their next scheduled flight. They are an important tool for air traffic control to manage the volume of aircraft and maintain safe operations at airports, especially during periods of reduced airport capacity.
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They are implemented with little to no warning
Ground stops are an air traffic control measure that requires aircraft that meet certain criteria to remain on the ground. They are implemented due to reduced airport capacity and can be caused by factors such as airport gridlocks, airborne holding, saturation levels, weather, traffic volume, construction, VIP movements, security incidents, equipment outages, and special events.
Ground stops are normally implemented with little to no warning. This is because the factors that lead to a ground stop can change rapidly and unpredictably. For example, a ground stop may be called due to a sudden thunderstorm, as was the case with Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), which implemented a short-term ground stop of about 30 minutes to an hour to prevent aircraft from being affected by the thunderstorm.
Similarly, ground stops may be implemented due to unforeseen equipment issues, such as the case with Toronto Pearson Airport in 2014, which experienced a ground stop due to extreme cold weather causing equipment freezing and safety issues for employees.
In some cases, ground stops may be implemented as a precaution against potential security threats, such as the US Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) ground stop for the entire United States on September 11, 2001, due to possible additional terrorist attacks by airplane.
Ground stops can also be implemented due to staffing shortages, as seen with the FAA's ground stop at New York's LaGuardia Airport in 2019 caused by a government shutdown.
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Ground stops are issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Ground stops are a common safety tool used by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to control air traffic volume. The FAA Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC) can issue a ground stop to slow or halt the flow of aircraft to a given airport. The FAA has the authority to issue ground stops for airports within the United States, as seen during the 2001 terrorist attacks, when a nationwide ground stop was implemented as a precaution against potential additional attacks.
Ground stops are implemented based on various conditions specific to the flights and airports involved. These conditions can include weather, traffic volume, construction, VIP movements, security incidents, and special events. For example, in 2019, the FAA declared a ground stop at New York's LaGuardia Airport due to a staffing shortage caused by the government shutdown. Additionally, in 2023, the FAA issued a ground stop at the same airport due to extreme smoke haze from Canadian wildfires.
The local ATC Tower must notify the FAA ATCSCC to distribute an alert to the affected airports and airlines when a ground stop is necessary. The scope of a ground stop is determined by the Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC), which is based on the center and airport from which the aircraft are departing. The geographical area affected by a ground stop is tiered, with the first tier being the region closest to the center, the second tier being slightly farther away, and the third tier being the farthest.
Ground stops can have downstream effects, causing flight delays or cancellations and preventing planes and flight crews from reaching their next scheduled destination. They are typically implemented with little to no warning and are an essential tool for ensuring safe aircraft accommodation at busy airports, especially during peak times.
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They are caused by factors like weather, traffic volume, construction, security incidents, etc
Ground stops are air traffic control measures that slow or stop the movement of aircraft that meet certain criteria. They are often implemented when an airport is unable to handle more flights, and they can be caused by various factors, including weather, traffic volume, construction, security incidents, and equipment failures.
Weather is one of the most common reasons for ground stops. Adverse weather conditions such as fog, low cloud ceilings, freezing temperatures, thunderstorms, blizzards, and hurricanes, and even volcanic activity can lead to ground stops. When the weather is unfavorable, airports must implement a ground stop until conditions improve. For example, in January 2014, Nav Canada issued a ground stop for Toronto Pearson due to extreme cold, which caused equipment freezing and safety issues for employees.
Traffic volume can also contribute to ground stops. When routings become saturated, or an airport is unable to handle the influx of flights, a ground stop may be necessary. This can occur when storms or fog disrupt busy routes or arrival corridors, causing delays and cancellations. Additionally, ground stops can be issued for specific aircraft or certain criteria, such as inbound aircraft to a particular airport or a specific geographic area.
Construction and runway changes can also lead to ground stops. Runways may become unavailable due to maintenance or unexpected issues, impacting the flow of air traffic. Security incidents, such as criminal activity, terrorism, or other safety concerns, can also result in ground stops. These situations often require the involvement of law enforcement and may take longer to resolve before operations can resume.
Equipment failures and technical difficulties are another cause for ground stops. If a major system or piece of equipment fails, and the safe control of aircraft and passengers is compromised, a ground stop may be implemented until the issue is resolved. For example, on January 11, 2023, a nationwide ground stop was called when the FAA's Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system went down.
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Ground stops can be airport-specific, equipment-specific, or airspace-specific
A ground stop is an air traffic control measure that requires aircraft that meet specific criteria to remain on the ground. Ground stops are usually implemented reactively and are considered the most restrictive of traffic management initiatives. They are often used when air traffic control is unable to safely accommodate additional aircraft in the system.
An example of an airport-specific ground stop is the 2019 FAA-declared ground stop at New York's LaGuardia Airport due to a staffing shortage. In this case, all aircraft departing for LaGuardia were required to remain on the ground at their origination airport until the ground stop was lifted.
Ground stops can also be equipment-specific, such as in the case of significant radar or communication outages. For instance, a ground stop may be implemented during a thunderstorm to prevent aircraft from being affected by severe weather.
Additionally, ground stops can be airspace-specific, such as when routings are unavailable due to severe weather or catastrophic events. An example of an airspace-specific ground stop is the 2023 FAA-issued ground stop on the east coast of the Carolinas due to the Chinese balloon incident.
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Frequently asked questions
A ground stop is an air traffic control measure that slows or halts the flow of aircraft that meet certain criteria, requiring them to remain on the ground. The criteria could be airport-specific, equipment-specific, or related to a specific geographical area.
There are various reasons for an airport ground stop. Some common reasons include weather, traffic volume, equipment outages, construction, security incidents, and special events.
Ground stops normally occur with little or no warning.
