The Federal Aviation Administration ordered a nationwide ground stop Friday, Nov. 13, after a communications problem affected every regional air traffic control center, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said. Duffy said FAA technicians were investigating. The centers direct aircraft between airports across the country.
The signed national advisory, issued at 12:54 p.m. Pacific, told aircraft operators to hold departures until further notice. It said the FAA would handle inbound international flights case by case. The FAA’s operational summary still listed the nationwide stop at 1:37 p.m. Pacific. The agency had yet to announce when regular departures would resume.
Earlier, the FAA issued separate ground stops for flights headed to Chicago O’Hare and Midway. The agency’s airport board stopped showing those local arrival restrictions after their scheduled 3:30 p.m. Central cutoff. The separate nationwide order continued to affect departing flights.
Check your flight and any connections
Use your airline’s app or flight status page before leaving for the airport. If you have a connection, check both legs separately. Airlines can revise departure and arrival estimates as the FAA releases flights. Check the individual flight again before heading to the terminal to pick someone up. Your airline can also tell you what rebooking options are available.
