South Bend travelers feel the effects of nationwide ground stop

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- At 3:54 p.m. on Friday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced a nationwide ground stop to all departing planes.

Travelers around the country, especially inside South Bend International airport, hearing the same thing.

"Nothing," Janette Joseph said. "They don't know if we're going to have a flight. It's just grounded for now."

This was the second time since September 11, 2001, that the FAA has ordered a nationwide ground stop.

More previously in 2023, when the FAA NOTAM system went down, leaving pilots unable to get their pre departure paperwork.

The ground stop, leaving South Bend travelers like Jose Herrera unable to attend their family member's wedding.

"We're supposed to be going to Washington DC," Herrera said. "A family member's wedding. It means a lot for us because we've been planning for a while, almost a year."

The nationwide ground stop was later lifted by the FAA at 8:15 p.m.

This still affected travelers like Ethan Ashmead, who were set to leave the country.

"I was trying to fly from South Bend to Sidney today," Ashmead said. "We actually got on the plane, boarded the plane, and pushed off. We sat on the plane for like an hour and then they finally said, "well, get more comfortable and stay inside. So, it didn't really hit until we were standing out there and really realized that this might not happen today."