FAA grounds all departing flights across the United States due to communication issues

On November 13, 2026, the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered a nationwide ground stop for all departing flights, citing emergency circumstances and safety concerns. This rare decision was prompted by severe disruptions in air traffic control communication systems, which initially affected the Chicago region before expanding to all domestic airports.

Nearly 7,000 flights have been impacted by this directive. While all aircraft currently on the ground are prohibited from taking off, planes already in the air are permitted to continue their routes and land as scheduled. International flights arriving in the U.S. are being evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The FAA has clarified that the grounding is a precautionary measure and maintained that they retain full situational awareness of all airborne traffic.

Authorities have not yet provided a timeline for the restoration of normal flight operations. The agency continues to monitor the situation, with no further information currently available regarding the specific cause of the technical failure.