US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy:
We stopped the take off of flights across the country as a precaution after disrupting radar data and communication with planes.
We did not completely lose communications or radar, but the inconsistency of the data caused us to abort the takeoff to maintain flight safety.
More than 3,500 planes were in the air when takeoff was halted, and the number dropped to less than 400 when consecutive flights landed safely.
We excluded from the suspension of flights taking off for medical evacuation, the transport of essential medicines and flights related to law enforcement authorities.
Streaming data beyond the capacity of older communications equipment caused data inconsistencies while modern equipment continued to function.
We will try to operate as many flights as possible tonight and will work with the airlines to operate the remaining flights starting tomorrow morning.