The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a nationwide ground stop on November 14, 2026, halting departures from American airspace due to a telecommunications problem. The ground stop lasted several hours and was lifted shortly after 7 p.m. MST.
Calgary International Airport (YYC) canceled multiple U.S.-bound flights during the FAA ground stop. Passengers were seated aboard aircraft ready for departure or waiting in terminals when cancellations were announced. Naji Zuain, a passenger on a flight to Denver, was held onboard for about an hour before being told to disembark. His flight was rebooked for 9 a.m. on November 15.
Airline response and passenger expenses
Air
Canada, which operated many affected flights, informed passengers it would not cover expenses for overnight accommodations caused by the disruptions. Passenger Naji Zuain stated, “It’s kind of unfair for them to have to cover each and every passengers’ expenses due to something that was no fault of their own.” Airlines struggled to manage the backlog of passengers and disrupted flights during the ground stop.
Passenger impacts and official advisory
Travelers experienced extended waiting times and disrupted travel plans, some stranded in terminals or aboard planes for hours. Calgary International Airport requested travelers to check flight statuses as schedules gradually normalized after the FAA lifted the
ground stop. The closure of American airspace caused significant operational challenges for the airport and delayed numerous U.S.-bound departures.
