Virus leads FAA to briefly suspend flights to Philadelphia, New York
![](https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox29.com/www.fox29.com/content/uploads/2019/06/764/432/plane_flight_generic_01_010819_jordan_sanchez_unsplash.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
(Photo by Jordan Sanchez/Unsplash)
PHILADELPHIA - The Federal Aviation Administration has lifted a brief suspension of flights to New York City-area airports because of coronavirus-related staffing issues at a regional air-traffic control center.
In an alert posted online Saturday, the agency advised air traffic controllers to “stop all departures” to Kennedy, LaGuardia, Newark and other airports in the region.
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The directive also affected Philadelphia International Airport.
The halt was lifted after about 30 minutes. Initially air traffic controllers were warned it could last several hours.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.