US transportation secretary blames outdated air traffic control system for nationwide ground stop

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Friday blamed the country's aging air traffic control system for the nationwide ground stop, saying at a press conference that the system was "incredibly old."

Passengers wait in line to check in at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, New York, the United States, Nov. 13, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua)

The remarks came after the Federal Aviation Administration lifted the hours-long ground stop, which disrupted thousands of flights across the country.