US grounds ALL flights for just the SECOND time in history over 'extraordinary safety reasons'

The US has grounded all flights for the second time since 9/11 over "extraordinary safety reasons".

In a shock alert, a message the Federal Aviation Authority reads: "Due to extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety. Attention all aircraft operators.

"By order of the Federal Aviation Command Center all aiports are ground stopped.

"All departing traffic should remain ground stopped until further notice."

Inbound international flights will be managed on a case-by-case basis, the alert added.

The major grounding will be the second time all flights have been paused since 9/11 when planes around the world came to a grounding halt.

US Transport Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the nationwide ground stop was ordered after a communication issue with Air Route Traffic Control centres.

He said: "FAA technicians are investigating the issue. We will provide immediate updates as we have them."

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