US Lifts Nationwide Ground Stop After Communications Failure

The US Federal Aviation Administration has lifted a nationwide ground stop. A communications failure had affected air traffic control centers across the country, halting departing flights for more than four hours. After the order was lifted, airlines still needed to restore their schedules and reassign aircraft and crews. Delays and cancellations could continue for several hours.

On November 13, 2026, passengers use self-service check-in kiosks at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, New York City, US.（VietVance）

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on November 13, 2026, that the failure affected all en-route air traffic control centers responsible for managing aircraft at high altitudes. The FAA said operations were disrupted by a temporary communications failure and that the specific cause remained under investigation. Citing the unusual circumstances and safety concerns, the agency initially ordered all flights preparing to depart to remain on the ground until further notice.

A person familiar with the matter said the Federal Bureau of Investigation did not believe the failure was caused by a cyberattack or criminal activity. Investigators are examining whether a software update could have caused the failure. That possibility has yet to be confirmed.

This is the third nationwide ground stop in US history. The previous two occurred in 2023, when an FAA safety notification system used by pilots and flight dispatchers failed, and during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The FAA is undertaking a comprehensive modernization of aging air traffic control infrastructure, for which Congress has allocated $12.5 billion. Sean Duffy has proposed an additional $30 billion, and the US Department of Transportation reiterated that request this week.

Source: VietVance