"Oops, sorry. You're absolutely right to question that. Runway 5 did have a plane already on it with 254 passengers on board. Would you like me to assist with notifying their next of kin?"

I wanted to make a joke like "no but runway 185 is" since the number of a runway is its degrees from magnetic north and each runway gets two numbers, 180 degrees apart, depending on the direction you're landing from. But the numbers are rounded to 10 meaning runway 5 isnt a real runway number so the joke doesnt really work (it would be runways 01 and 19 for 10 degrees and 190 degrees)

It's not going to save anyone any money on flights because companies just pocket the difference, but does anyone know how the jet gas/ diesel/ consumer auto gas markets are connected? Is there a chance the reduced jet fuel demand reduces prices at the pump? That's probably the bigger picture goal here even if it doesn't actually work that way, because our government is run by dumbasses who wouldn't even think to ask if they're connected.

This looks like one of those large upfront costs things that saves money over the long run because new critical infrastructure systems always cost a lot upfront and need a slow rollout to prevent things like, say, grounding every single flight in the country, but long term pay for themselves. On paper I'm usually in favor of short term spend for long term savings but unfortunately this is a kleptocracy and this is an indirect handout to the airlines.

Right, the timings is PURELY coincidental

... From the CNN article linked in this thread:

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin pointed to FAA updates to the air traffic control system as the reason behind today’s nationwide ground stop. He said the FAA added new technology to the old system, causing the massive breakdown.