Suspected Chinese Surveillance Balloon Causes FAA Ground Stop, Raising Questions About U.S. Airspace Security

The fallout from the suspected Chinese surveillance balloon continues as a possible second balloon has been sighted. On Saturday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a ground stop to “support the Department of Defense in a national security effort,” resulting in the pause of arrivals and departures from three U.S. airports.

Residents in North Carolina and South Carolina reported seeing the spy balloon on Saturday, and the FAA’s ground stop was issued shortly after. Photos of the suspected Chinese spy balloon have been circulating on social media, and it is believed to be carrying surveillance equipment. The balloon was first spotted over Montana on Thursday, and has since been seen in the skies in the South.

When asked by a reporter if the U.S. will shoot down the balloon as he deplaned Air Force Once, President Joe Biden said, “We’re gonna take care of it.” This was the first time Biden had spoken on camera about the balloon, but he did not elaborate on how his administration plans to take care of it.

The FAA’s ground stop is still in effect, and will remain in place until the Department of Defense’s national security effort is complete. The FAA has paused departures from and arrivals to Wilmington, and it is unclear when the ground stop will be lifted.

The presence of the suspected Chinese surveillance balloon has raised questions about the security of U.S. airspace. It is unclear how long the balloon has been hovering over the U.S., and what information it has been collecting. The Biden administration has yet to provide any further details on the situation.