November 13, 2026 | Breaking News

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a nationwide ground stop Friday afternoon, temporarily halting departing flights at airports across the United States following a major air traffic control communications failure.

The emergency order was reportedly issued around 4 p.m. Eastern after communications problems affected the nation’s 22 regional air traffic control centers.

Flights already in the air were permitted to continue to their destinations, while departing aircraft were ordered to remain on the ground. International arrivals were being handled individually.

The disruption has raised concerns about the reliability of the nation’s air traffic control infrastructure and the potential for widespread flight delays and cancellations.

Authorities have not confirmed whether the communications failure resulted from a technical malfunction, cyberattack, or another cause.

The FAA has not announced a confirmed time for normal flight operations to resume.

Travelers are advised to check directly with their airlines and the FAA for updated flight information.

Source: Federal Aviation Administration, Reuters and Associated Press.