NOVEMBER 13, 2026
United Airlines planes at Newark Liberty International Airport, Nov. 1, 2026. – James M. O’Neill/NorthJersey.com, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co
The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a nationwide ground stop for flights across the United States on Friday, Nov. 13, citing extraordinary circumstances and safety concerns related to an air traffic control issue.
The directive instructs all departing aircraft to remain on the ground until further notice. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the ground stop followed a communication issue affecting all Air Route Traffic Control Centers.
“FAA technicians are investigating the issue,” Duffy said in a post on X. He said the agency would provide updates as they become available.
Flight tracking company Flightradar24 reported that the FAA issued the order following an equipment outage. The FAA’s advisory also cited frequency issues across the National Airspace System.
Flights already in the air are not being ordered to land immediately. International flights heading to the United States will be handled on a case-by-case basis, according to the advisory.
Mike Christensen, public information officer with the Hollywood Burbank Airport, said in a phone interview that the airport received notice of the nationwide ground stop just before 1 p.m. PT on Friday, Nov. 13.
Christensen said he knows little else about the order, aside from that “it’s due to some kind of equipment outage.”
For now, Christensen said, the airport is advising passengers to connect with their airlines.
“Right now, there’s going to be delays, but then even this afternoon … things can get backed up. So basically, we’re just advising passengers to connect with their airlines in the interim, just to see if they can get updates about when their flight potentially, hopefully, will take off,” he said.
— Daniella Segura, The Desert Sun
No. On Jan. 11, 2023, the FAA halted departures nationwide after its Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system failed. The system provides flight crews with essential safety information, including runway closures and other hazards.
The FAA’s preliminary review found that contractors accidentally deleted files while trying to synchronize the primary database with a backup. The agency paused departures while technicians restored service and verified the system was working properly.
he ground stop lasted nearly two hours, but flight disruptions continued throughout the day. The FAA said investigators found no evidence of a cyberattack or other malicious intent.
— Josh Rivera
Nearly 7,000 flights across the United States have been delayed or canceled because of the nationwide ground stop, according to Reuters.
The figure includes both delayed and canceled flights, as airlines adjust schedules in response to the FAA’s directive. The disruption has affected air travel nationwide, though a breakdown of cancellations versus delays was not immediately available.
The FAA has not released a separate count of how many flights or passengers have been affected by the ground stop.
— Anthony Thompson
How long will the FAA ground stop last?
The FAA advisory lists an effective period beginning at 3:54 p.m. ET on Nov. 13 and extending to 11:30 p.m. ET.
However, the directive instructs departing aircraft to remain grounded until further notice. The listed expiration time does not guarantee that flights will resume by then.
The FAA has not provided an estimate for when normal flight operations will return.
What does a nationwide ground stop mean for travelers?
A ground stop is an FAA directive that temporarily prevents affected aircraft from departing their airports. It does not necessarily mean all flights have been canceled.
The disruption could lead to delays, missed connections and schedule changes as airlines adjust their operations.
Passengers scheduled to fly Friday should check their airline’s website or mobile app for the latest updates before heading to the airport. Travelers should also monitor notifications from their airlines for changes to departure times or cancellations.
The FAA advisory does not specify how many flights or passengers could be affected by the nationwide ground stop.
Airports warn passengers of delays as ground stop continues
Airports are warning passengers to prepare for delays as the FAA’s nationwide ground stop disrupts flight operations.
Mike Christensen, public information officer with Hollywood Burbank Airport, told The Desert Sun that the airport received notice of the ground stop shortly before 1 p.m. local time Friday, Nov. 13.
Christensen said the airport had limited information about the order but understood it was related to an equipment outage.
“Right now, there’s going to be delays, but then even this afternoon … things can get backed up,” Christensen told The Desert Sun.
The airport is advising passengers to contact their airlines for updates about potential departure times and other changes to their travel plans.
Courtesy: This article originally appeared on USA TODAY
