FAA Stops US Departures Nationwide After Air Traffic Control Communication Outage

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered a nationwide ground stop on Friday, November 13, 2026, after communication problems affected air traffic control. All departing aircraft were told to remain on the ground until further notice. Planes already in the air could continue to their destinations, while arriving international flights were to be handled individually. The FAA said the affected centres manage aircraft routes, separation and coordination between parts of the US airspace. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said technicians were investigating. The FAA had first restricted traffic in Chicago before extending the stop nationwide, but had not said what caused the outage or how long it would last. A nationwide suspension is rare. In January 2023, a technical failure in the FAA’s flight-notice system briefly disrupted departures. The only earlier nationwide suspension followed the September 11, 2001 attacks.

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