Published: November 13, 2026 | Last Updated: November 14, 2026 at 7:50 AM.
NATIONWIDE: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a nationwide ground stop Friday afternoon, temporarily halting aircraft departures across the United States amid reports of widespread air traffic control communication problems. The directive marks only the third nationwide ground stop in FAA history and the first since January 2023.
The FAA's Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC) issued an advisory announcing the unprecedented disruption at approximately 2:54 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST). The advisory, identified as ATCSCC Advisory 111, directed aircraft operators nationwide to suspend departures until further notice, citing extraordinary circumstances and safety concerns.
"Due to extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety," the advisory stated, before instructing aircraft operators that all airports were subject to the ground stop.
The directive further stated that all departing aircraft should remain grounded until additional instructions are issued. The advisory said international flights arriving in the United States would be managed individually.
The FAA did not immediately provide a detailed public explanation for the nationwide restriction. However, reports of air traffic control communication and equipment problems emerged shortly before the ground stop was announced.
Communication Problems Reported Before Nationwide Shutdown
According to Reuters, the nationwide ground stop followed reports of significant air traffic control communication problems and earlier restrictions affecting departures at Chicago-area airports. Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Chicago Midway International Airport were among the facilities experiencing disruptions before the nationwide order.
Earlier FAA advisories cited equipment outages and communication issues at those airports.
Additional reports indicated that pilots and airline dispatchers were encountering problems with radio frequencies used to communicate with air traffic controllers.
These communications are essential for coordinating aircraft movements, issuing clearances, maintaining separation between aircraft, and managing traffic throughout the national airspace system. Although communication disruptions were reported, the FAA had not publicly confirmed the precise cause, full geographic extent, or technical nature of the problems when it issued the initial advisory.
Ground Stop Affects Departures Across the United States
Unlike ground stops affecting individual airports or regions, the nationwide directive applies broadly to departing aircraft nationwide. The FAA's advisory instructed aircraft operators to keep departing flights on the ground until further notice.
The restriction could affect commercial passenger airlines, cargo operations, and other aircraft subject to FAA air traffic control requirements. A ground stop does not automatically order aircraft already in flight to land. Air traffic controllers continue managing airborne aircraft while coordinating any necessary operational restrictions. According to the FAA advisory, international flights arriving in the United States are being handled on a case-by-case basis.
The nationwide disruption could cause substantial flight delays, missed connections, and cancellations as airlines adjust schedules.
Even after a ground stop is lifted, flight disruptions can continue as airlines reposition aircraft, coordinate flight crews, and work through accumulated departures.
Just the Third Nationwide Ground Stop in FAA History
Friday's nationwide ground stop marks just the third such event in the Federal Aviation Administration's history, highlighting how unusual the disruption to the nation's aviation system is. The last nationwide ground stop occurred on January 11, 2023, when an outage of the FAA's Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system prompted federal aviation officials to temporarily suspend domestic flight departures across the United States.
The NOTAM system provides pilots and flight crews with essential safety information, including runway closures, equipment outages, airspace restrictions, and other operational hazards. The system failure resulted in thousands of flight delays and hundreds of cancellations nationwide.
Before January 2023, the only other nationwide ground stop occurred on September 11, 2001, when federal officials halted air traffic following the terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C. Unlike those previous incidents, the precise cause of Friday's nationwide ground stop had not been officially confirmed at the time of this report.
The rarity of nationwide ground stops underscores the significance of Friday's FAA directive, which affects departures nationwide rather than at individual airports or regions.
Potential Impacts at Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport
The nationwide restriction also has implications for travelers using Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport (MSP), one of the Midwest's major aviation hubs.
As the ground stop applies nationwide, departures from MSP are subject to the FAA directive. As of 3:30 PM, MSP Airport is currently reporting 3 Canceled Departures, 31 Delayed Departures, and 398 On-Time Departures.
Travelers throughout Minnesota, including those flying from MSP, should anticipate possible delays and schedule changes while the situation develops. The extent of the disruption at MSP, including the number of affected flights and any cancellations, had not been independently confirmed at the time of this report.
Passengers are encouraged to check directly with their airlines before traveling to the airport and monitor flight status information for updates.
FAA Advisory Lists Extended Operational Window
The FAA's nationwide ground stop advisory included an effective period beginning at approximately 2:54 p.m. CST Friday, November 13, and extending to approximately 10:30 p.m. CST. However, the advisory specifically instructed aircraft operators to remain grounded until further notice.
The listed operational window does not necessarily mean the ground stop will remain in effect for that entire period. The FAA can modify, extend, or cancel traffic management restrictions as conditions change.
Under established FAA procedures, the Air Traffic Control System Command Center coordinates nationwide ground stops, monitors conditions, and issues additional advisories when restrictions are modified or canceled.
Ground Stop Lifted
Just before 7:30 PM on November 13, 2026, the ground stop was lifted. The cause of the communications issues is still under investigation.
Written by: Will Wight
