A nationwide ground stop issued by the Federal Aviation Administration was lifted shortly before 7:30 p.m. on Friday, November 13, 2026, ending a suspension of flights across the United States. The halt marked the second FAA ground stop since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the first since January 2023, disrupting thousands of flights nationwide.
Flight cancellations and delays at Chicago airports
As of 1:43 p.m. on Saturday, November 14, Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) reported 605 cancelled flights, while Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) had 72 cancellations. Average delays were 28 minutes at O’Hare and 23 minutes at Midway throughout the day weekend. By Saturday
night, Midway recorded an average delay of 65 minutes and canceled at least three flights scheduled for Sunday morning.
Passenger experiences amid airport congestion
Travelers faced significant disruptions at both Chicago airports, experiencing long lines, crowded terminals, and numerous planes parked on runways waiting for gates. Gerard Hill, stranded at O’Hare with his wife, expressed frustration over the FAA communications failure behind the delays. Passenger Vivian Azeredo, whose flight to Dublin lost contact mid-flight with the control tower, was delayed 6.5 hours on the tarmac before landing safely. Another traveler, Stephanie Hugel, missed her Midway connection by two minutes and spent Saturday night in the
airport. Dan Throm and his son, en route to an Ole Miss football game in Oklahoma City, were also stranded at O’Hare awaiting transportation and luggage retrieval.
Cause of ground stop and official statements
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy attributed the ground stop to a failed upgrade of the FAA’s outdated communications and radar systems. Officials ruled out a cyberattack, with Homeland Security indicating no evidence so far of nefarious activity. The Chicago Department of Aviation clarified that local aviation infrastructure was unaffected by the FAA’s communications failure. University of Illinois expert Dr. Sheldon Jacobson noted this event was the largest ground stop since the post-9/11 period and
acknowledged the FAA system’s multiple safety layers.
Ongoing recovery and broader impacts
Flight recovery continued throughout Saturday as airlines worked to reposition crews and aircraft. The FAA’s nationwide stop also disrupted international routes, affecting flights to Mexico and Canada, with Mexico imposing temporary restrictions and Air Canada canceling cross-border flights. College football schedules were impacted, including the rescheduling of a game where 19th-ranked Mississippi will play Oklahoma Sunday instead of Saturday. Major conferences such as the SEC, Big Ten, and Big 12 delayed kickoff times to accommodate travel delays.
