Travelers at Dallas airports are facing extended delays today after a telecommunications outage forced the Federal Aviation Administration to issue a ground stop for both DFW International Airport and Dallas Love Field earlier this afternoon.
The issue, traced to malfunctioning telecom equipment at Dallas TRACON, briefly cut radar and phone communications for controllers managing flights in and out of North Texas. The outage lasted around two hours before systems began coming back online.
Impact on DFW and Love Field
- DFW Airport saw the largest impact, with hundreds of flights delayed and more than 100 cancellations by mid-afternoon. Some passengers reported waiting on planes for several hours while crews awaited clearance to depart.
- Dallas Love Field, home to Southwest Airlines, reported fewer cancellations but widespread delays. Many flights ran 30 minutes to several hours late, leaving long lines at customer service counters.
The FAA has since lifted the ground stop but imposed a ground delay program, meaning flights are resuming at reduced capacity.
Airlines Respond
Both American Airlines and Southwest Airlines issued travel alerts, allowing passengers greater flexibility to rebook without fees. Airline staff have been working to reassign passengers and reposition planes, though recovery has been slow.
Travelers at Dallas airports described crowded terminals, constant schedule changes, and uncertainty over when flights would return to normal. Some connecting passengers missed onward flights, while others opted to drive to nearby cities rather than wait for available departures.
What’s Next
The FAA confirmed the problem was not caused by its own equipment but by a local telecommunications provider. Crews are working to fully restore service. Passengers with upcoming flights through Dallas are strongly encouraged to check their airline’s app or website for the latest status before heading to the airport.
With DFW serving as one of the nation’s busiest hubs, ripple effects from today’s delays are expected to continue into tonight and possibly into early tomorrow.