The Federal Aviation Administration imposed a nationwide ground stop on November 13, 2026, halting departures at all U.S. airports due to communication failures at regional air traffic control centers. The restriction, lifted at about 7:30 p.m. Central time, caused extensive operational delays and cancellations at Chicago O’Hare and Midway International Airports.
Flight Delays and Cancellations at Chicago Airports
By 9:30 p.m. Central time on November 13, nearly 900 flights were delayed at Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway airports, down slightly from over 1,000 earlier in the evening. More than 800 flights remained canceled, predominantly from O’Hare, reflecting the backlog created by the multi-hour ground stop.
Airline Responses from United and American Airlines
United Airlines acknowledged
a significant number of flight cancellations but resumed some previously planned Friday night departures. It issued a travel waiver allowing customers flexible changes to travel plans amid ongoing disruptions expected through Saturday. American Airlines stated it prioritized flights to non-hub destinations and international routes to expedite recovery, explaining it expected residual delays and cancellations to continue into the weekend.
Passenger Impact and Airport Conditions
Passengers at Chicago O’Hare experienced extensive wait times and confusion with limited flight status information. Security checkpoints were largely empty due to the halted flight operations. Shawntell Sharrock, a passenger at O’Hare, described the gate areas as chaotic, adding, “There’s not
a solidified, same answer from anyone.” Stranded travelers were forced to rebook or abandon plans, with many stranded overnight amid overcrowded terminals and scarce updates.
Cause, Safety Assurances, and Official Investigations
The FAA attributed the ground stop to communications problems affecting all Air Route Traffic Control Centers nationwide, citing “extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety.” Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin confirmed no evidence indicated a cyberattack, describing the issue as a telecommunications outage. Senator Tammy Duckworth called for a comprehensive FAA investigation into the disruption’s causes. The FAA is examining whether the incident relates to the rollout of a new artificial intelligence system aiding
route management, though the system operates separately from control centers.
Historical Context and Modernization of Air Traffic Systems
This rare nationwide ground stop marks the first since January 2023 and the first post-September 11, 2001. The FAA’s outdated communications infrastructure, reliant on old copper wire and radio systems, contributes to system vulnerabilities. In 2025, Congress approved $12.5 billion for modernizing air traffic control systems, with an estimated further $30 billion needed to complete upgrades nationwide. These improvements aim to prevent similar large-scale outages in future air traffic operations.
