FAA grounds all US flights after communications failure hits air traffic control centers

Key TakeawaysThe order followed a communications issue affecting all Air Route Traffic Control Centers across the U.S, Duffy said on X.FlightAware reported nearly 7,000 delayed or cancelled flights.The FAA did not provide further details about how long the restrictions would remain in place. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded all departing flights nationwide on Friday after a telecommunications failure affected air traffic control centers across the country, disrupting thousands of flights. The FAA said a temporary telecommunications outage prompted it to halt departures as a precaution. All flights had been accounted for, while inbound international flights would be handled on a case-by-case basis, the agency said in a post on X. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the communications issue was affecting all Air Route Traffic Control Centers. FAA technicians were investigating the disruption and would provide updates, he added. The @FAAnews issued a nationwide ground stop for all U.S. airports following a communication issue impacting all Air Route Traffic Control Centers. FAA technicians are investigating the issue. We will provide immediate updates as we have them.— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) November 13, 2026 The disruption meant aircraft already airborne could continue to their destinations, while planes on the ground were unable to take off. The FAA had halted traffic in Chicago shortly before issuing the nationwide order because of air traffic control communications issues. It subsequently directed all departing traffic to remain grounded until further notice. Flight-tracking service FlightAware reported nearly 7,000 delayed or cancelled flights following the disruption, according to Reuters. Airlines respond to disruption United Airlines said it was responding to the nationwide ground stop. Flights already airborne would continue, while new domestic flights would not depart as long as the FAA order remained in place. The airline said it would work with customers to get them to their destinations once the issue was resolved. Air traffic system faces overhaul The disruption comes as the FAA works to modernise an air traffic control system that has faced equipment failures, communications problems and controller shortages. Congress approved $12.5 billion for the overhaul last year. The FAA and White House also asked lawmakers for an additional $30.1 billion on Friday to support the modernisation effort, Reuters reported. Nationwide ground stops are extremely rare. The previous nationwide halt of departures occurred in January 2023, when the FAA suspended flights following an outage in its Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system. Before that, nationwide air traffic was halted following the September 11, 2001, attacks.Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.With over a decade-long career in journalism, Neetika Walter has worked with The Economic Times, ANI, and Hindustan Times, covering politics, business, technology, and the clean energy sector. Passionate about contemporary culture, books, poetry, and storytelling, she brings depth and insight to her writing. When she isn’t chasing stories, she’s likely lost in a book or enjoying the company of her dogs.