Hundreds of flights were cancelled at Toronto Pearson International Airport and Toronto Billy Bishop Airport on November 13, 2026, after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issued a nationwide ground stop shortly before 4 p.m. ET. The order stemmed from communications problems at regional U.S. air traffic control centres, prompting a halt to all U.S.-bound departures and arrivals at Toronto Pearson and leading to more than 120 cancellations. The FAA lifted the ground stop at approximately 8:15 p.m. ET, allowing flights to resume.
Flight Cancellations and Airport Responses
Toronto Pearson Airport suspended all flights to and from the U.S. during the ground stop, with Air Canada
cancelling all its U.S.-bound and arriving flights for the rest of the evening. Additionally, Air Canada flights between Canada and the Caribbean and South America that transit U.S. airspace were affected, resulting in further cancellations. Twenty other international flights at Pearson were also cancelled because of the disruption. Toronto Billy Bishop Airport cancelled all remaining Friday U.S.-inbound and outbound flights for Air Canada and Porter Airlines. NAV Canada implemented traffic management measures at Pearson along with three other major Canadian airports to manage traffic volumes safely throughout the disruption. NAV Canada stated its systems were unaffected by the U.S. ground
stop and operated normally.
Passenger Experiences of Delays and Cancellations
Several passengers expressed frustration and uncertainty amid extended waits, cancellations, and rebooking challenges. Donna, a passenger en route to New York City, had her flight rescheduled for Saturday and described the experience as disappointing for her weekend plans. Derek, travelling to Las Vegas, anticipated further cancellations despite some rebooking attempts. Shahab Mirmiran, flying to Los Angeles, reported a lack of information while waiting to depart. A passenger arriving from the United Kingdom waiting for a connection to Raleigh, North Carolina also faced delays. Lyle Jakobsen and his wife, stranded after an Air Canada flight from Sint
Maarten was cancelled, experienced more than an hour on the tarmac before deplaning and were provided hotel accommodation by the airline.
Airport and Airline Statements on Recovery Efforts
Erica Vella, spokesperson for Toronto Pearson International Airport, said the airport was entering recovery mode, working closely with airlines to restore schedules and get passengers to their destinations. Vella confirmed emergency operations centres remain active to support this process. NAV Canada confirmed it implemented traffic management measures to maintain safe operations and noted the U.S. ground stop did not impact its systems. Air Canada has communicated with affected passengers and arranged some rebookings for flights on November 14, 2026.
Ongoing Impact After Ground Stop Lift
Although the FAA lifted its ground stop at 8:15 p.m. ET, delays and cancellations were expected to continue as airports and airlines manage backlogs and resume normal operations. Passengers experienced extended waits on the tarmac—some for over an hour—and travel disruptions persisted into the evening. The airport advised travelers to anticipate possible further delays as the recovery unfolds.
