China spy balloon triggers temporary US airspace shutdown

By Burak Dag

ANKARA (AA) - The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Saturday temporarily shut down three airports and airspace in some parts of the country due to a spy balloon hovering over its airspace.

The FAA said in a statement that operations at Charleston, Myrtle Beach and Wilmington airports are paused due to "national security efforts."

It added that the airspace in North and South Carolina has been closed.

The Pentagon had said on Thursday that it was tracking a suspected Chinese high-altitude surveillance balloon above the continental US.

Washington claimed the incident was a "clear violation" of its sovereignty, but Beijing regretted the incident.

In a statement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said it was an “unintended entry” by a "civilian airship used for research" that deviated off course and entered US airspace ”due to force majeure.”

President Joe Biden in his first comments on the issue on Saturday said his administration "will take care" of it.