Nationwide air traffic pause leaves Asheville passengers stranded
A ground stop that began on Friday morning was lifted after several hours, though confusion over individual flight schedules persisted at the airport.
By Charles Reed ·
A nationwide ground stop took effect on Friday, November 13, halting all departures across the United States. Although the restriction was lifted several hours later, travelers at Asheville Regional Airport faced continued uncertainty regarding the status of their specific flights.
Airport spokesperson Angi Daus confirmed that no aircraft were permitted to take off during the suspension. However, the facility remained fully operational, allowing incoming planes to land. Daus advised passengers to contact their airlines directly for the most accurate information on arrival times and rebooking options.
The disruption caught many travelers off guard while they were already at the airport. Gretel Von Pischke, a resident of Colorado, reported that her pilot announced the nationwide stoppage just as the plane was preparing to enter the runway. She noted that a large number of people in the terminal were struggling to rebook flights because airlines lacked clear timelines for when departures would resume.
Josh Flegel, a visitor from Florida, described a scene of widespread confusion. He stated that passengers across the country were on hold with carriers, trying to determine the duration of the delay. Flegel expressed skepticism that flights with existing delays would depart on time, noting that reports varied on how long the stoppage would last.
Inside the terminal, News 13 observed passengers attempting to manage the wait. Many individuals sat on the floor to rest, while others used their phones to check for updates. Some travelers purchased snacks from nearby vending machines as they waited for news from their airlines.
A pilot who spoke with News 13 during the hold said he was told the earliest time operations might return to normal was 11 p.m. This estimate provided a tentative timeline for travelers, though specific flight adjustments remained unclear until the hold was officially lifted.
Despite the inconvenience, passengers interviewed expressed a primary concern for safety. Flegel described the event as a potential system glitch and hoped everyone would be back on their original travel plans by the next day. Von Pischke emphasized the value of safe reconnection, a sentiment shared by other travelers who prioritized security over schedule precision.
