FAA Lifts Nationwide Ground Stop and Reopens US Airspace Following Air Traffic Control Restoration. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has officially lifted its nationwide ground stop and reopened United States airspace on Friday night, November 13, 2026, after restoring full operational functionality across its en route air traffic control centers and Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facilities.
Join us on Telegram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, TikTok, and subscribe to our Weekly Digest with just one click.
Speaking at a White House press briefing, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin confirmed that the disruption was triggered by aging analog telecommunications infrastructure, noting that data overloads caused inconsistencies across switches and routers that required a precautionary system shutdown. Mullin stated that while investigators have found no initial evidence of a cyberattack, inquiries remain ongoing, emphasizing that passenger safety was never compromised as airspace movement gradually resumes.
Federal officials outlined the operational timeline of the disruption:
-
✈ 3:36 p.m. ET: Telecommunications instability and data inconsistencies emerged across air traffic facilities and TRACONs nationwide, prompting controllers to shut down the affected system.
-
✈ Nationwide ground stop: Commercial departures were halted out of an abundance of caution with over 3,500 aircraft airborne, while exceptions remained active for medevac flights, life-saving cargo, and law enforcement operations.
Follow us on Google News and receive notifications on your mobile device by clicking the button below.
-
✈ 8:00 p.m. ET: Pilots and air traffic controllers followed established safety protocols to bring airborne traffic down to fewer than 400 aircraft.
-
✈ Airspace reopening: The nationwide ground stop was formally lifted later in the evening, allowing airports such as Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) to begin returning to normal operations.
After restoring full functionality at our air traffic control centers and TRACONs, the @FAANews reopened the airspace tonight.
It will take us time resume normal operations, so please continue to check with your airline for the latest information. Our top priority is the safety of you and your family when you fly.
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) November 14, 2026
Both the FAA and airport authorities cautioned travelers that full schedule recovery will take time due to cascading delays, advising customers to continue checking flight statuses directly with their airlines.
Must-Watch Video:
You might also be interested in:
- ✈ Avianca makes rapid progress in software updates and passenger service.
- ✈ Air Canada launches direct flights from Toronto and Montreal.
- ✈ Airbus warns of potential solar radiation issues in aircraft.
- ✈ Viva resumes operations in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta.
You must be logged in to post a comment.