The United States Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, announced this Sunday a temporary suspension of flights to Miami International Airport (MIA), while emergency teams assessed the situation following the accident of a cargo plane operating for Amazon Prime Air.
«We have ordered a ground stop (temporary suspension of flights to the airport) at Miami International Airport while emergency teams assess the situation following the runway departure of a cargo plane from Amazon,» Duffy reported on his official account on X.
A ground stop is a air traffic control measure that temporarily keeps affected flights on the ground, preventing them from continuing to the airport while the emergency persists.
Duffy also warned travelers to expect significant disruptions while the measure remains in effect.
"If you are traveling in the area, please expect significant delays and possible cancellations," they noted.
The Miami International Airport itself confirmed that flight 7598 from Prime Air exceeded one of its runways around 2:00 p.m. and became immobilized at the northwest end of the airport.
The terminal also reported that all its runways and taxiways remain closed and that a total ground stop is in effect.
"Passengers with flights scheduled for today should check directly with their airline for the status of their flight before heading to the airport," advised MIA.
Additionally, the secretary confirmed that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will send inspectors to investigate the causes of the accident.
The FAA announced this Sunday that flight 7598 from 21 Air overshot the runway after landing at Miami International Airport around 2:00 p.m. local time.
The aircraft, a Boeing 767-300 freighter, had taken off from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The FAA will investigate, stated the federal agency, which recommended contacting the airline directly for additional information.
The Boeing was operated by 21 Air for Amazon Prime Air and went off the runway after landing, prompting a significant mobilization of emergency services.
The first images released from the vicinity showed a huge column of black smoke rising from the area where the aircraft had landed.
Afterward, new images allowed for a closer look at the condition of the Boeing and how close the aircraft was to nearby facilities and vehicles at the airport.
Miami-Dade Mayor, Daniella Levine Cava, also spoke out this Sunday about the emergency and confirmed that the Miami-Dade Firefighters and airport teams were working at the scene.
"Our focus is on everyone involved and on ensuring that our first responders have what they need," stated Levine Cava.
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