United restarts flights after tech issue forces ground stop

United Airlines experienced a nationwide ground stop due to a tech problem Tuesday afternoon.

“We are experiencing a systemwide technology issue and are holding all aircraft at their departure airports,” United said in a statement around 1:30 p.m. “Flights that are already airborne are continuing to their destination as planned. We’re currently investigating and will share more information as it becomes available.”

The Federal Aviation Administration said United had asked the agency to “pause” its departures across the country.

About 15 minutes later, the agency said the ground stop for “the U.S. and Canada” was lifted shortly after it was announced in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

United later followed up with an update, saying it had “identified a fix” for the problem and that the company was working with customers.

Amid the situation, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said on X that he was aware of it and that “[the Department of Transportation] will make sure UA meets its obligations to affected passengers.”

The airline said a “software update” was the cause of a “widespread slowdown” within its tech systems in a later statement. United said it resumed normal operations around 12:45 p.m. CDT.

— Updated