Flights at Columbia Regional Airport ‘expected to resume’ after ground stop order ends

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Travelers are boarding a flight at Columbia Regional Airport after a nationwide ground order was lifted.

U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced during a livestreamed press conference that a nationwide ground order that was issued earlier in the day was lifted.

Columbia Regional Airport shared on its social media at 7:50 p.m. that flights are expected to resume soon after the grounding order was lifted.

“However, due to the extended ground stop, travelers may experience continued delays or schedule changes,” the post says. “Passengers are encouraged to check directly with their airline for the latest flight information and plan for potential disruptions as operations return to normal.”

An ABC 17 News reporter at the airport saw passengers boarding an Allegiant Airline flight at 8 p.m. that was originally slated to depart at 5 p.m.

A Columbia Regional Airport employee also confirmed with ABC 17 News that all remaining departures from COU will remain cancelled, with flights expected to continue Saturday morning. An American Airlines flight from Chicago is expected to arrive Friday evening with the airport expected to hold the airplane overnight for morning travel.

Duffy blamed aging infrastructure and technology for the communications outage that led to the Federal Aviation Administration to issue the ground order earlier in the day.

Check back for updates.