US FAA Suspends All Airport Departures Due to Air Traffic Control Communication Issues

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a national ground stop for all aircraft departures from airports across the United States on Friday, November 13, 2026. This decision was prompted by serious communication issues affecting air traffic control systems. According to the FAA, all departing aircraft must remain stationary until further notice due to extraordinary circumstances and safety reasons. While the ground stop affects departures, aircraft that were already in flight are permitted to continue their flight paths and land normally.

Scope of the Communication Failure

The scale of the disruption is significant, affecting air traffic control infrastructure nationwide. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy stated that the communication problem affects all air traffic control centers in the country. One French media outlet reported that there are 22 air traffic control centers in the United States, which guide commercial aircraft at altitudes above 18,000 feet. The specific nature of the disruption is still being determined, but officials suggest it may involve communication frequencies or radar system capabilities.

The national order followed a localized suspension in Chicago. Both Chicago O'Hare and Midway airports had already suspended departures due to equipment failure before the national order was issued. Regarding the impact on travelers, one media outlet reported that approximately 7,000 flights have been delayed or canceled according to FlightAware data. International flights are currently being handled on a case-by-case basis as the situation develops.

Historical Context of Ground Stops

This national suspension is a rare event in American aviation history. The last national ground stop occurred in January 2023, which was caused by a failure in the NOTAM system. Prior to that incident, the FAA had only issued a similar national decision following the attacks on September 11, 2001. Currently, FAA technicians are investigating the cause of the communication failure to determine how to restore normal operations.

What Happens Next

The suspension remains in effect until further notice. The FAA is currently working to investigate the technical cause of the communication failure, whether it stems from radar systems or specific communication frequencies. As the investigation continues, the aviation industry awaits official word on when it will be safe to resume standard departure schedules. Travelers are advised to monitor their flight status as the situation remains fluid.

Glossary

• ground stop — A ground stop is an order issued by the FAA requiring all departing aircraft to remain stationary. This measure is used due to extraordinary circumstances and safety reasons.
• air traffic control — Air traffic control centers guide commercial aircraft at altitudes above 18,000 feet. These centers are part of the air traffic control infrastructure used to manage flight paths.