The U.S. Postal Service warned Friday that the nationwide FAA ground stop could delay mail and packages. The USPS service alert, updated at 5:30 p.m. Eastern, said the disruption could affect processing, transportation and delivery. USPS gave no estimate for how long deliveries might run behind and listed no affected ZIP codes for the aviation disruption.
The FAA imposed the stop after a communications failure at air traffic control centers. Aircraft already in the air could land, Reuters reported. A later FAA order allowed some departures with prior coordination. The agency’s operations summary still listed the nationwide restriction Friday afternoon Pacific time. That board tracks flights. For an individual shipment, start with its postal tracking record.
If you’re waiting for mail or a package
Use the tracking link on the Postal Service’s missing mail and lost packages page and enter the number from your receipt or shipping confirmation. USPS also posts separate notices about local delivery and processing problems on its service alerts page, which can help if you’re waiting on several shipments or checking whether a local Post Office is open.
For an item that still hasn’t arrived, USPS accepts Missing Mail search requests starting seven days after mailing. Count from the mailing date on the receipt. The search form asks for the sender and recipient addresses, a description of the contents and identifying details such as the tracking number. If a retailer sent the package and you only have an order number, ask the retailer for the mailing details.
USPS generally estimates two to five business days for Ground Advantage. The Postal Service lists that range as an estimate, with longer times for some routes. The date printed on a Priority Mail Express receipt serves a different purpose: it records the delivery commitment for that shipment.
If you paid for Priority Mail Express
Find the guaranteed arrival time on the receipt. If USPS missed it, the sender can request a postage refund with the receipt and tracking number. USPS lists a filing window of two to 30 days after mailing for Express shipments without extra services, and 30 to 60 days when the sender bought an extra service.
The Domestic Mail Manual allows USPS headquarters to authorize exceptions to refunds for flight delays or cancellations and certain government actions. Friday’s service notice warned of possible delays without announcing a blanket domestic Express guarantee suspension. If you’re the recipient, pass along the tracking number and delivery status to whoever mailed the package. Only the sender can request the postage refund.
