GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Travelers at the Gerald R. Ford Airport were stuck waiting in terminals as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded flights across the United States Wednesday morning.
An issue with an online system that pilots use to check before flights to review hazards was offline for a portion of the morning, causing flights to be grounded.
The FAA ordered a pause on all domestic departures as workers tried to fix the problem. The pause was in place until 9 a.m.
In Grand Rapids, a majority of the flights had been grounded until well past noon, with a small amount being canceled.
13 ON YOUR SIDE crews reported the terminals were mostly empty on Wednesday morning. Most people who were waiting on their flights had either left for the day or were waiting. Some flights were being rebooked for Thursday.
One woman we spoke with had decided to cancel her trip altogether.
Meanwhile, Plainwell resident Vicki Hermann said her trip to Hawaii was rebooked for Thursday, and that she's trying to stay positive.
"I pray FAA can take care of their glitch and their technicality problems soon because it affects so many people," she said. "And I was talking to two ladies and they were very anxious to get going to see their families too."
Terry Williams, of Muskegon, said that while it's disappointing to wait for his flight to San Diego, he's happy airport staff are being cautious.
"My initial reaction is still the same. I think safety first," he said. "So, I respect the fact that they want to make sure people are okay. My second reaction is, I hope I can get there today."
For the latest on departures at GRR, click here.
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