FAA Orders Nationwide Ground Stop as Communications Failure Disrupts U.S. Air Traffic

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the disruption.

13 Nov 2026

The United States halted flights nationwide after a communications problem affected air traffic control centers, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said.

“FAA technicians are investigating the issue. We will provide immediate updates as we have them,” Duffy wrote on social media.

FlightAware reported that about 7,000 flights were delayed or canceled as a result of the ground stop.

The disruption underscores continuing pressure on the U.S. air traffic control system, which has faced equipment failures, communications problems and controller shortages as the FAA works to replace aging infrastructure. Congress approved $12.5bn for the overhaul last year, and the FAA and White House asked lawmakers on Friday for an additional $30.1bn.

It is the first nationwide U.S. ground stop since January 2023, when a critical FAA computer system malfunctioned. The previous one followed the September 11, 2001, attacks.

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