Air carrier flight crew reported that tower instructed them to abort the takeoff roll which was requ...

Narrative:

Taxiing out for takeoff in ZZZ; ground control cleared us to taxi to runway xxl. One minute later; ATC then said to change runway to xxr. We; as the crew; accomplished the runway change checklist and got all set for takeoff. ZZZ tower cleared us for takeoff on runway xxr. As we lined up on the runway; the captain gave me control of the aircraft. I advanced the thrust levers and called 'set takeoff thrust.' approaching what I believe was the 80 knot call; I heard a transmission from ZZZ tower saying 'flight xx cancel takeoff clearance if able.' the captain resumed control of the aircraft and rejected the takeoff. We stopped on the runway; and turned off and queried ATC as to why we were asked to cancel the takeoff. We were informed that ZZZ center was having staffing issues and they didn't want us in the air quite yet. We as a crew felt that was not an appropriate reason to reject given the phase of flight; and because of this we incurred a 30 minute delay and put excessive wear on the tires and brakes on the airplane. In the future; I would recommend that staffing issues of an air traffic control facility are not justified causes for rejected a takeoff in a heavy jet airliner and once a takeoff clearance is issued; unless there is an imminent emergency; the takeoff is not rejected.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air carrier flight crew reported that Tower instructed them to abort the takeoff roll which was requested by the ARTCC facility due to traffic and staffing issues and could not yet accept the flight into their airspace.

Narrative: Taxiing out for takeoff in ZZZ; Ground Control cleared us to taxi to Runway XXL. One minute later; ATC then said to change runway to XXR. We; as the crew; accomplished the runway change checklist and got all set for takeoff. ZZZ Tower cleared us for takeoff on Runway XXR. As we lined up on the runway; the Captain gave me control of the aircraft. I advanced the thrust levers and called 'Set Takeoff Thrust.' Approaching what I believe was the 80 knot call; I heard a transmission from ZZZ Tower saying 'Flight XX Cancel takeoff clearance if able.' The Captain resumed control of the aircraft and rejected the takeoff. We stopped on the runway; and turned off and queried ATC as to why we were asked to cancel the takeoff. We were informed that ZZZ Center was having staffing issues and they didn't want us in the air quite yet. We as a crew felt that was not an appropriate reason to reject given the phase of flight; and because of this we incurred a 30 minute delay and put excessive wear on the tires and brakes on the airplane. In the future; I would recommend that staffing issues of an air traffic control facility are not justified causes for rejected a takeoff in a heavy jet airliner and once a takeoff clearance is issued; unless there is an imminent emergency; the takeoff is not rejected.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	1743932
Time
Date	202005
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Commercial Fixed Wing
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	First Officer Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Person 2
Function	Captain Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Multiengine
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Procedural Clearance Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

Air carrier flight crew reported that tower instructed them to abort the takeoff roll which was requested by the ARTCC facility due to traffic and staffing issues and could not yet accept the flight into their airspace.