Flights resume across US after FAA system failure

The Federal Aviation Administration lifted an order to ground all flights across the United States shortly before 9 a.m. Eastern time Wednesday after a system failure left pilots, airlines and airports without crucial safety information for hours. The agency said that “normal air traffic operations are resuming gradually across the U.S.” The FAA is investigating the cause.

More than 7,000 flights within, into or out of the United States had been delayed Wednesday, according to FlightAware, a flight tracking service. The delays were spread across the country and affected multiple carriers.

Passengers across the country said their plans had been scuttled, with airport employees sometimes knowing little more than passengers.