The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a nationwide ground stop affecting all US-bound flights on November 13, 2026, resulting in widespread cancellations at Calgary International Airport. The ground stop, linked to a telecommunications issue within the United States, forced the airport to hold flights destined for US cities, including Denver, for several hours.
Passengers at Calgary International Airport faced significant delays, with many stranded in terminals, on board aircraft, or stuck on airlines’ phone lines. Naji Zuain, a passenger on an Air Canada flight to Denver, was seated and ready for departure when the flight was delayed. After an hour
on the plane, all passengers were instructed to disembark. His flight was rescheduled for 9 a.m. on November 14, 2026, requiring him to find overnight accommodation at his own expense as Air Canada informed him it would not cover disruption-related costs.
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“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,” Zuain said, reflecting the frustration experienced by travelers during the stoppage.
Calgary International Airport released a statement appreciating travelers’ patience as flight schedules began to normalize shortly after the FAA lifted the ground
stop shortly after 7 p.m. on November 13, 2026.
The FAA nationwide ground stop was attributed to a telecommunications problem affecting US air traffic control. This directive led to extensive cancellations of US-bound flights from multiple Canadian airports, including Calgary. Passengers were left facing uncertainty and were compelled to make alternative travel arrangements due to the disruption.
