NC Airport Closed As Military Downs Chinese Balloon: Report

WILMINGTON, NC — The Federal Aviation Administration on Saturday shut down three airports in North and South Carolina, closing airspace approximately two hours before the U.S. military shot down a large Chinese balloon suspected of conducting surveillance, according to officials and reports.

The ground stop was issued at Wilmington International Airport in North Carolina, according to the FAA. The closure was in effect until 5:15 p.m. ET.

Charleston International Airport and Myrtle Beach International Airport were also closed Saturday due to security reasons, according to the FAA. Transportation authorities were rerouting air traffic from the area and warned of delays due to the flight restrictions.

According to The Associated Press, the balloon was spotted Saturday morning over the Carolinas as it approached the Atlantic coast. President Joe Biden had told reporters earlier Saturday that "we’re going to take care of it,” when asked about the balloon.

An operation was underway in U.S. territorial waters in the Atlantic Ocean to recover debris from the balloon, which had been flying at about 60,000 feet and was estimated to be about the size of three school buses.

The Federal Aviation Administration and Coast Guard worked to clear the airspace and water below the balloon as it reached the ocean.

Television footage showed a small explosion, followed by the balloon descending toward the water. U.S. military jets were seen flying in the vicinity and ships were deployed in the water to mount the recovery operation.

Officials were aiming to time the operation so they could recover as much of the debris as possible before it sinks into the ocean. The Pentagon had previously estimated that any debris field would be substantial.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.