FAA Grounds All Departing Flights Nationwide Following Major Air Traffic Control Communications Failure

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered a nationwide ground stop Friday, November 13, 2026, after a major communications failure disrupted air traffic control centers across the United States, bringing departing flights to a halt and affecting thousands of travelers.

The FAA issued the emergency order citing extraordinary circumstances and safety concerns as federal technicians worked to identify and resolve the problem. Reuters +1

Thousands of Flights Affected

According to flight-tracking service FlightAware, nearly 7,000 flights had been delayed or canceled as a result of the nationwide disruption.

The ground stop prevents aircraft from taking off at U.S. airports, while planes already in the air are generally permitted to continue to their destinations and land safely.

International flights entering the United States are being managed individually, according to federal aviation officials. Reuters +1

Transportation Secretary Confirms Nationwide Communications Problems

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that the communications failure affected all 22 regional Air Route Traffic Control Centers responsible for managing aircraft traveling between airports.

FAA technicians are investigating the outage, and officials have indicated that additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

The Department of Homeland Security also reported that investigators had found no indication, at the time of its statement, that the disruption was caused by a deliberate malicious act. The exact cause remains under investigation. Federal News Network +1

California Airports Also Impacted

The nationwide order extends to California airports, including Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), and other commercial aviation facilities.

Travelers throughout Southern California, including Antelope Valley residents departing from LAX, Hollywood Burbank Airport, or other regional airports, could experience significant delays, cancellations, and missed connections.

The full impact on individual California flights has not yet been determined. San Francisco Chronicle +1

A Rare Nationwide Aviation Shutdown

This is the first nationwide ground stop since January 2023, when a failure involving the FAA’s pilot notification system temporarily halted departures across the country.

Before that, a nationwide ground stop was issued following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The latest incident raises renewed concerns about the reliability of the nation’s aging air traffic control infrastructure, which federal officials have been working to modernize. AP News +1

What Travelers Should Know

Passengers scheduled to fly Friday or over the weekend are encouraged to check their flight status directly with their airlines before heading to the airport.

Even after the FAA lifts the ground stop, disruptions could continue as airlines work to reposition aircraft, reschedule crews, and accommodate affected passengers.

For official aviation updates, visit FAA.gov⁠ or FAA National Airspace System Status⁠.

This is a developing story. AV Daily News will continue monitoring the situation and provide updates as additional information becomes available.

Sources: Reuters, Associated Press, FAA and U.S. Department of Transportation. Reporting reflects information available Friday, November 13, 2026.