U.S. pauses activity at three airports for “national security effort” amid questions about Chinese spy balloon

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said it paused departures and arrivals at three airports including Myrtle Beach International Airport in South Carolina on Saturday because of a “national security effort.”

The action occurred amid reports that a Chinese high-altitude surveillance balloon, which has been flying across the country in what Washington calls a “clear violation” of U.S. sovereignty, was in the area.

(Reporting by Diane Bartz; editing by Diane Craft)