Calgary International Airport (YYC) held U.S.-bound flights for several hours on the evening of Friday, November 13, 2026, following a nationwide ground stop imposed by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) due to a telecommunications problem.
The FAA ground stop, which temporarily halted departures from Canadian airports including Calgary, was lifted shortly after 7 p.m. local time on the same day. During the disruption, widespread cancellations and delays affected flights from Calgary to the United States, with passengers often seated onboard aircraft ready for departure when informed of delays or cancellations.
Several travelers, including passengers aboard an Air Canada flight
to Denver, Colorado, experienced extended delays. Passenger Naji Zuain from Lloydminster was seated with his seatbelt fastened when a delay was announced. After about an hour onboard, passengers were asked to disembark. Zuain’s flight was rebooked for 9 a.m. on Saturday, November 14, 2026.
Passengers faced uncertainty and were stranded in terminals, often having to find overnight accommodations at their own expense. Air Canada representatives reportedly told some passengers they would not cover expenses related to the disruption. Zuain commented, “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. It is what it is.”
After the FAA lifted the ground stop, Calgary International Airport thanked travelers for their patience in a tweet and advised passengers to check directly with airlines for updated flight information.
