The Federal Aviation Administration issued an unprecedented nationwide ground stop Friday, Nov. 13, halting departing flights at airports across the United States, including major Texas airports, according to USA TODAY.

The FAA ordered the ground stop because of what it described as “extraordinary circumstances” and safety concerns after communications problems affected the nation’s air traffic control system.

The disruption is affecting airports across Texas, including Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport. Houston airports confirmed that the FAA held departing flights until further notice.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said a communications problem was affecting air traffic control centers nationwide. FAA technicians were investigating the issue.

On Friday afternoon, Nov. 13, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said during a news conference there is “no indication of a terrorist attack.”

The ground stop applies to departing traffic. Aircraft already in the air can continue to their destinations and land. Inbound international flights will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

The FAA had not announced when normal operations would resume as of Friday afternoon. Travelers should expect potential delays and disruptions even after the ground stop is lifted as airlines work through a backlog of flights.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: FAA grounds flights nationwide. What Texas travelers need to know

Reporting by Brandi D. Addison, USA TODAY NETWORK / El Paso Times

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