Thousands of travelers were stuck at holiday-packed airports on Tuesday after American Airlines briefly grounded all its flights in the United States due to a technical issue. The sudden halt in operations caused frustration and disruption to many passengers who were eager to reach their destinations for the Christmas holiday.

According to reports, the technical issue was related to a problem with the airline’s computer system, which caused a ripple effect throughout its network. As a result, American Airlines made the decision to ground all its U.S. flights until the issue could be resolved.

The grounding, which lasted for several hours, affected thousands of passengers across the country. Many took to social media to express their frustration and disappointment, with some reporting long delays and cancellations.

“We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused and are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible,” American Airlines said in a statement. “We appreciate the patience and understanding of our customers during this time.”

The technical issue was eventually resolved, and American Airlines resumed its flight operations. However, the incident highlighted the importance of reliable technology in the airline industry, particularly during peak travel periods.