(ORLANDO, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES) A ground stop at Orlando International Airport on Thursday disrupted flights across the Southeast after an FAA equipment outage hit the Central Florida TRACON, the radar facility that guides aircraft in and out of the Orlando area. The order, issued at 12:28 PM ET on September 11, 2025, was lifted later in the afternoon after technicians restored radar services.
However, delays continued through the evening as airlines worked through the backlog, with average waits of 45–60 minutes and some flights facing longer holds.
What happened
The FAA said a radar failure at the Central Florida TRACON caused the slowdown. The agency stated:
“The FAA is slowing departures at Orlando International Airport due to a radar issue at the Central Florida Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON). Technicians are working to address the problem. You can find real-time flight delay information at fly.faa.gov. ”
According to advisories, the ground stop was initially expected to last until at least 2:00 PM ET, with a 30–60% chance of extension depending on repair progress. It was lifted after crews restored functionality, but ripple effects remained.
Scope of impact
Flights arriving into and departing from Orlando International Airport were affected across multiple FAA regions, including:
- Atlanta (ZTL)
- Washington (ZDC)
- New York (ZNY)
- Houston (ZHU)
- Jacksonville (ZJX)
- Fort Worth (ZFW)
- Cleveland (ZOB)
- Boston (ZBW)
- Miami (ZMA)
- Memphis (ZME)
- Indianapolis (ZID)
- Albuquerque (ZAB)
Airlines urged passengers to arrive early, use mobile apps, and monitor status updates. The airport also warned of slower baggage delivery and longer lines at check-in and security.
How controllers managed operations
With the Central Florida TRACON partly offline, controllers switched to alternative procedures to space aircraft and maintain safety. Those measures:
- Reduced the number of planes that could arrive and depart each hour
- Increased reliance on voice coordination and procedural separation
- Maintained safety but lowered operational capacity
At a busy hub like Orlando, even a short slowdown can rapidly create a backlog.
Passenger experience and airline responses
By late afternoon, conditions were mixed: some gates moved steadily while others faced rolling delays. Airport officials advised passengers to check with airlines for gate assignments, crew availability, and rebooking options. The airport’s official site, Orlando International Airport, carried general updates.
Many carriers issued push alerts and text messages reminding customers to expect longer processing times and to build in extra time for connections.
Impacted traveler groups included:
- Families — longer waits at boarding and baggage claim
- International students (F-1 visas) — concerns about missed connections to smaller Florida cities
- Foreign nationals with tight connections — higher risk of missed flights and same-day rebooking challenges
Airlines typically rebook passengers at no extra charge during air traffic control delays, but additional hotel and ground-transport costs may still arise.
International and baggage implications
Analysis by VisaVerge.com noted that outages can affect international arrivals connecting to evening flights back to Latin America and Europe. Key points:
- Missed outbound legs may limit same-day rebooking options
- Checked bags can be delayed further when baggage systems are constrained
- Resorts and parks often adjust reservations for delayed flights, but travelers should call ahead to avoid no-show penalties
Traveler guidance (What to do now)
- Check flight status frequently via airline apps and websites.
- For national delay patterns and ground stop info, use the FAA portal: fly.faa.gov.
- Arrive early and leave extra time for check-in, security screening, and baggage drop.
- Sign up for airline push notifications and SMS for the fastest updates.
- If rebooking, contact your airline directly through its app or phone — many carriers waive change fees for ATC-related delays.
- For theme-park plans, contact guest services to adjust hotel, park, or dining reservations.
Important: While the ground stop has ended, irregular operations can persist until aircraft and crews are repositioned and schedules are reset overnight.
Operational recovery and next steps
Recovery requires airport crews to:
- Reposition aircraft and staff
- Clear inbound baggage
- Match flight crews to legal duty windows
That work takes time, so knock-on effects can continue after equipment is restored.
Ground stops at major U.S. airports are relatively rare and usually tied to weather, security, or equipment failures. The Central Florida TRACON is a core FAA facility managing approach and departure flows for Orlando and nearby fields. When it experiences an outage, the impact spreads across route structures feeding Orlando International Airport.
Aviation analysts say the episode reinforces the need for robust backup systems and continued investment in air traffic control modernization. The FAA is expected to review the equipment issue and determine whether additional safeguards or maintenance measures are needed. No long-term policy changes have been announced yet.
Cancellations, crews, and refunds
Airlines reported some cancellations to restore network balance, especially for late-day returns and aircraft needing maintenance windows. Crew duty limits can force cancellations after long delays.
If your flight was canceled:
- Contact your carrier for rebooking or refunds.
- If booked through an online travel agency, work through that platform to change your itinerary.
International arrivals and CBP
Customs and Border Protection procedures at Orlando continued, but lines grew as aircraft banks shifted. If you missed a domestic connection after clearing CBP due to the FAA outage:
- Ask the airline to protect you on the next available flight and document the cause as an air traffic control delay.
- Keep boarding passes and any airline messages to support travel-insurance claims or expense reimbursement.
Where to check for updates
- FAA system status and national impacts: fly.faa.gov
- Airport services, parking, and terminal maps: Orlando International Airport
This event highlights the tight link between radar infrastructure and passenger flow at Orlando International Airport. The rapid lift of the ground stop shows technicians’ responsiveness, but lingering queues and delays reveal the real-world effects on families, students, tourists, and business travelers. Although the Central Florida TRACON resumed normal operations, schedules will likely stabilize fully only after aircraft and crew rotations reset. Travelers heading to and from Central Florida tonight and tomorrow morning should plan for possible residual delays, keep devices charged, and stay in close contact with their airlines.
This Article in a Nutshell
On September 11, 2025, a radar failure at the Central Florida TRACON prompted a ground stop at Orlando International Airport (MCO) at 12:28 PM ET. Technicians restored radar services later that afternoon, but delays persisted into the evening as airlines and airport operations worked through backlog, with average waits of 45–60 minutes and some longer holds. The outage affected flights across numerous FAA regions (including ZTL, ZDC, ZNY, ZHU), forced reduced arrival and departure rates, and increased reliance on voice coordination and procedural separation. Passengers were advised to monitor airline apps and the FAA flight-status portal, expect slower baggage delivery, and contact carriers for rebooking or refunds. Recovery requires repositioning aircraft, crews, and inbound baggage, so ripple effects may continue overnight. Analysts highlight the need for improved redundancy and ongoing modernization of air traffic control infrastructure.
