The key facts

  • The FAA ordered a halt to all domestic flights in the US due to a communications failure.
  • The problem affected all air traffic control centers across the country.
  • This is only the second full ground stop since 2023.

Massive Ground Stop in the US

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Friday, November 13, 2026, issued an order for a full ground stop of all domestic flights within the country. The agency cited 'exceptional circumstances' and the need to ensure safety, instructing all departing aircraft to remain on the ground until further notice.

Cause and Scope of the Incident

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy clarified that the decision was made due to a failure in the communications system that affected all air route traffic control centers (ARTCC) across the country. The FAA's technical service has already begun investigating the causes of the incident. Unlike domestic flights, the arrival of international aircraft will be handled on an individual basis.

Historical Context and Rarity of the Event

A nationwide ground stop is an extremely rare event. The last similar case occurred in January 2023 due to a failure of the pilot system (NOTAM), and before that, a large-scale flight ban was in effect during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. At this point, the exact timeline for restoring air traffic operations has not been determined, and the agency promises to provide updates as new information becomes available.