The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed a nationwide ground stop at all U.S. airports on November 14, 2026, after a communications outage disrupted air traffic control systems. By 6:20 p.m. EST, more than 2,000 flights were canceled and over 10,000 delayed across the country.
Communications Outage Disrupts Air Traffic Control
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the halt resulted from a communication problem affecting all 22 Air Route Traffic Control Centers, which manage flights above 18,000 feet. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated the issue was a telecommunications outage and that there was no indication of a nefarious attack. “This isn’t another 9/11. I cannot
repeat that enough,” Mullin said, adding that the cause remains under investigation with cyberattack possibilities not ruled out.
Flights Grounded Nationwide, Airborne Aircraft Diverted
As a result of the ground stop, departures from all U.S. airports ceased. Approximately 3,100 flights were airborne and inbound to U.S. airports at the time. FAA officials directed these flights to divert to other airports to ensure safety. Earlier on November 14, ground stops were also issued at Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway airports due to equipment outages. NAV Canada, responsible for Canadian airspace, monitored the situation and reported no impact on Canadian systems.
Investigations and Congressional Scrutiny Underway
FAA technicians continue investigating the communications failure. Several
congressional leaders have called for accountability and further examination. Senator Tammy Duckworth, Illinois Democrat and Aviation Subcommittee ranking member, stated, “Safety of our skies is built on redundancies,” and pledged to demand a thorough FAA investigation. Senator Maria Cantwell, ranking member of the Senate Transportation Committee, announced her committee will review issues related to aircraft communications frequencies and backup systems.
SMART AI System Excluded as Cause
Contrary to speculation, AirSpace Intel, the contractor behind the SMART AI system rollout at FAA facilities, clarified that the ground stop was not related to their technology or FAA integration. Mullin acknowledged the investigation is considering all factors but confirmed
no link to the SMART AI rollout has been established. This event marks only the second nationwide ground stop since 9/11; the previous occurred in 2023 due to a NOTAM system outage.
