On November 13, 2026, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a nationwide ground stop that suspended all U.S.-bound flights, impacting cross-border air traffic at major Canadian airports. Toronto Pearson International Airport confirmed it has no scheduled U.S.-bound departures or arrivals during the FAA ground stop. Montreal-Trudeau Airport also faces delays and cancellations for flights between Canada and the U.S.
NAV Canada Implements Traffic Controls at Major Airports
NAV Canada has deployed traffic management measures at Toronto Pearson, Montreal-Trudeau, Calgary, and Vancouver airports to ensure safe operations amid the disruption. The organization confirmed its air traffic control systems are functioning normally despite the FAA’s halt on flights entering
U.S. airspace. NAV Canada maintains support for the safe movement of all aircraft within Canadian airspace, including those diverted due to U.S. airspace closures.
Federal Government Monitoring the Situation
Federal Transport Minister Steven McKinnon stated the Canadian government is closely monitoring the FAA ground stop and remains in communication with NAV Canada. While Canadian air traffic systems remain fully operational, travel to the United States is disrupted until further notice. The government is tracking developments to coordinate responses affecting cross-border travel.
Cause and Safety Concerns From Communication Failures
The ground stop stemmed from communication failures at all U.S. Air Route Traffic Control Centers, which affected controllers’ ability to communicate with pilots. This
forced aircraft to land promptly. Backup communication systems failed or were unreliable, resulting in a widespread shutdown of U.S. airspace affecting both domestic and international flights. McGill University operations professor John Gradek highlighted the safety risks when pilots cannot receive air traffic control instructions, stating, “If there is no communication between the air traffic controllers and the airlines, we have accidents that could possibly happen.” He noted this disruption is the most severe since the September 11 attacks, affecting hundreds of thousands of travelers.
Traveler Impact and Airport Status Updates
Passengers at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport are advised to contact their airlines for the latest
information on delays and cancellations. John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport reported no operational disruptions, confirming flights are proceeding as scheduled. The ground stop has halted or delayed U.S.-bound flights from major Canadian international airports, creating uncertainty for travelers and forcing airlines to adjust their schedules.
Toronto Pearson Airport stated, “There are currently no scheduled U.S.-bound departures or arrivals at this time.” Travelers with flights to or from the U.S. are impacted until the FAA lift the ground stop.
