DALLAS — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced flight delays at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Dallas Love Field after an equipment failure at the Dallas Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility.
The issue began around midday and affected the TRACON facility responsible for managing air traffic within a 40-mile radius of the airports. By 2 p.m. Central Time, the FAA reported delays for 273 flights at DFW and 69 flights at Love Field, with average delays exceeding two hours.
Officials said the delays resulted from a telephone and communication outage at the Dallas TRACON, limiting air traffic controllers’ ability to coordinate flights. The FAA issued ground stop advisories affecting arrivals and departures at both airports. The agency expected delays to continue until at least 5 p.m.
Travelers experienced wait times, including some stranded on planes while awaiting clearance for takeoff or landing. Airlines advised passengers to verify flight statuses before traveling to the airports.
The FAA worked with local telephone providers and deployed technicians to restore communications and resume operations. The equipment failure disrupted local flights and affected air travel networks, especially at DFW, a hub for American Airlines.
The FAA said safety was the agency’s top priority and pledged to resolve the issue. Officials noted that technical problems and weather-related disruptions have previously affected flights at both airports.
DFW, one of the world’s busiest airports, handles high volumes of passenger and cargo traffic daily. The incident highlighted the importance of air traffic infrastructure and contingency planning in maintaining travel operations.
Aviation experts stressed the need for investment in air traffic management systems to improve reliability and reduce the risk of disruptions.