A nationwide Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ground stop in the United States caused multiple cancellations of U.S.-bound flights at Calgary International Airport (YYC) on Friday evening, November 13, 2026. The FAA lifted the ground stop shortly after 7 p.m. local time.
Passenger Experiences at Calgary International Airport
Passengers traveling to the U.S. were held at Calgary airport for several hours due to the nationwide FAA ground stop. Many were seated aboard aircraft ready for departure when delays were announced. For one Denver-bound flight, passengers remained onboard for about an hour before being instructed to disembark. Stranded travelers waited on the departures level with their luggage, uncertain
when flights would resume and scrambling to adjust travel plans. Travelers spent hours waiting in terminals or on hold with airlines as schedules were disrupted.
Air Canada Flight Rebooking and Policies
An Air Canada flight scheduled to depart Calgary on the evening of November 13 was rebooked for 9 a.m. the following day, November 14. Passengers impacted by the delay had to secure overnight accommodations without airline support, as Air Canada reportedly did not cover expenses related to the disruption.
Cause and Official Response
The FAA ground stop was attributed to a telecommunications problem in the United States that affected air traffic control operations nationwide. Calgary International Airport thanked travelers
for their patience as flight schedules gradually returned to normal after the FAA lifted restrictions shortly after 7 p.m. Authorities urged passengers to confirm flight information directly with their airlines.
Passenger Perspectives on Disruption
Lloydminster resident Naji Zuain described being ready to take off on a Denver flight before the delay was announced. He acknowledged the airline’s difficult position, stating, “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.” He added, “It is what it is.”
