FAA: Communication Breakdown Delaying Flights

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said that a communication failure at a Georgia facility that processes flight plans for the eastern half of the U.S. has resulted in flight delays around the country.

The New York Times is reporting that the communication problems started Tuesday afternoon, but there is no official count on the number of planes delayed.

FAA spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said in a statement that there is a failure in the communication link that transmits data from a facility in Hampton, Ga., to Salt Lake City. As a result, the Salt Lake City facility has to process those flight plans, causing delays.

The FAA Web site lists more than three dozen airports around the country that are experiencing flight delays, including New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA). The FAA is suggesting that travelers on flights today call their airline to get updated flight departure and arrival information.

The FAA says there are no safety concerns, and officials can speak to pilots on the ground and in the air.

© Cheapflights Ltd Melanie Nayer