All departing U.S. flights grounded due to communication outage
US aviation regulators issued a rare nationwide ground stop due to a major telecommunications outage, causing significant travel disruptions. Officials confirmed there is no evidence of a malicious attack, and the incident has renewed calls for funding to modernize the national air traffic control system.
Why it matters
The incident underscores the fragility of critical national infrastructure and the ongoing debate regarding the necessity of federal investment in aging aviation technology.
NEW YORK U.S. aviation regulators issued an extremely rare ground stop of all flights across the country on Friday (November 13, 2026) after a major communications outage, which the Department of Homeland Security said did not appear to be the result of any "nefarious attack." The halt triggered immediate chaos and confusion for travellers, with departure boards at many airports showing flights were operating normally, even as customers were unable to board planes. The Federal Aviation Administration "issued a nationwide ground stop for all U.S. airports following a communication issue impacting all Air Route Traffic Control Centres," the agency said. "FAA technicians are investigating the issue." In a subsequent message on X, the agency described the problem as "a temporary telecommunications outage" and said it was acting "out of an abundance of caution."
Headlinne story · 6 newsrooms
Federal Aviation Administration Grounds Departing Flights Nationwide Following Telecommunications Outage
What every outlet reported, where they differ, and how each framed it →
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