Frustration, confusion as Eugene Airport deals with nationwide grounding of flights

The security line at Eugene Airport was empty at 2:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 13, after the Federal Aviation Administration announced all outbound flights in the U.S. would be grounded.

The FAA cited “extraordinary circumstances,” caused by communication issues at regional traffic control centers.

Andrew Martz, assistant director of Eugene Airport, said all inbound flights would be handled normally, but outbound flights have been grounded until further notice.

“My advice to travelers is to contact their airlines directly,” Martz said.

He added that updates and information would be posted on the Eugene Airport website.

Henry Jagger, a ramp agent at the Eugene Airport, first found out about the nationwide ground stop when a plane was arriving at Eugene, but another wasn’t departing to make room at about 1 p.m.

“So we were like, ‘why isn’t it moving?’” Jagger said. “And then that’s when one of our co-workers sent us a message saying all (departing) airplanes in the United States are grounded.”

People were seen lined up at various airline desks outside of security. Jagger said the lines were worse at gates behind security.

According to The Associated Press, Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin said there is no reason to be concerned about people flying, and that there is no indication yet that this was a nefarious attack.

Ron Corey, from the Northwest Territories in Canada, arrived in Eugene earlier this week to have his motor home worked on. It took him four days to drive here.

He would have flown home and been there by 11 p.m. if the nationwide grounding hadn’t happened.

“Fortunately, we can go back to the motor home. It sounds like hotels are becoming an issue,” Corey said.

He also said his flight would be automatically rebooked once the FAA lifts the nationwide ground stop.

As of 4:22 p.m., airport personnel said there is no timeline for flights to resume.

What about game day?

The Oregon Ducks play the Michigan Wolverines at home Saturday, Nov. 14.

A spokesperson for the UO Athletic Department said, “We haven’t been alerted to any concerns,” when asked whether the flight groundings would affect Saturday’s game.

Michigan arrived Thursday in Eugene.

— Material from The Associated Press is included in this report.