Developing story. Last updated November 13, 2026, 2:45 p.m. Pacific. Check the FAA National Airspace System status page for the latest.
On the afternoon of Friday, November 13, 2026, the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a nationwide ground stop, halting departing flights at airports across the United States. The FAA said the order was issued "due to extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety" after communication problems hit air traffic control facilities. It is only the second nationwide ground stop since 9/11; the last one came in January 2023, when the system that publishes pilot alerts (NOTAMs) failed.
What We Know So Far
- Cause: The FAA cited communication issues affecting multiple Air Route Traffic Control Centers, the facilities that manage aircraft between airports. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said FAA technicians are investigating.
- No sign of an attack: Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said there was no indication of a "nefarious attack" and described it as a telecommunications outage based on what was known so far.
- Flights in the air: Airlines said flights already airborne would continue to their destinations. The FAA said inbound international flights would be handled case by case.
- Timing: The FAA said departures would stay grounded until further notice. Estimates of when the stop would lift varied in news reports, so treat any time as provisional until the FAA confirms it.
- Scale: Thousands of flights were delayed across the country, with more than 11,000 flights scheduled to depart U.S. airports after 4 p.m. Eastern on Friday, according to Cirium data cited by CNBC.
What It Means for Air Freight
A ground stop does not only affect travelers. A large share of air cargo rides in the holds of passenger aircraft, and dedicated cargo flights need the same air traffic control services to depart. While the stop is in place, shippers should expect:
- Missed cutoffs and connections for domestic expedited air and next-flight-out shipments tendered Friday.
- A backlog after flights resume. Airlines must reposition aircraft and crews, and cargo terminals will work through freight that sat on the ground. Knock-on delays into the weekend are likely even after the stop ends.
- Delays on international air shipments moving to and from U.S. gateways, including exports waiting for outbound flights.
Trucking, rail and ocean freight are not directly affected by an FAA ground stop. LTL and full truckload pickups, intermodal rail and ocean bookings continue as planned.
Have a time-critical shipment stuck behind the ground stop? We can quote a team-driven expedited truck that keeps rolling coast to coast while airports clear the backlog.
Get an Expedited Quote →What Shippers Should Do Now
- Get an updated ETA. Ask your broker or forwarder where each air shipment is and when it is likely to move once departures restart.
- Tell your receivers. A quick heads-up about a possible delay protects the relationship and gives them time to adjust production or store schedules.
- Consider ground for urgent domestic freight. A team-driven expedited truck covers roughly 1,000 miles a day and does not wait on airports. For many lanes it can deliver before a backlogged flight.
- Hold off on new air tenders for non-urgent freight until the FAA lifts the stop and airlines publish recovery schedules.
- Document everything. Keep air waybills, booking confirmations and delay notices. For international air cargo under the Montreal Convention, delay claims are due within 21 days of the date the goods were placed at your disposal. Our guide to freight insurance and carrier liability explains how claims work.
How MyExpressFreight Can Help
MyExpressFreight books air freight, expedited trucking, full truckload and LTL across all 50 states and to more than 150 countries. When an event like this grounds aircraft, we compare air recovery times against ground options lane by lane and move your freight the fastest way available. Call us or request a quote and a real person will respond.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an FAA ground stop?
A ground stop is an air traffic control order that keeps flights from departing for a set time or until further notice. Flights already in the air continue to their destinations. A nationwide ground stop applies to departures at airports across the United States and is extremely rare.
Does a ground stop affect air cargo?
Yes. Cargo airlines and the cargo carried in the holds of passenger flights both wait on the ground during a stop. Expect delayed pickups and recoveries at airports, missed connections, and a backlog that can take a day or more to clear after flights resume.
Are trucking, rail and ocean freight affected?
Not directly. An FAA ground stop applies to aircraft. LTL, full truckload, intermodal rail and ocean shipments keep moving, which makes expedited trucking a practical backup for time-critical domestic freight.
What should I do if my air shipment is delayed?
Contact your broker or forwarder for an updated estimated arrival, tell the receiver about the delay, and ask whether a team-driven expedited truck can beat the backlog. Keep records in case you need to file a delay claim; for international air cargo under the Montreal Convention, delay claims are due within 21 days.
Sources
- CBS News: FAA issues nationwide ground stop due to "extraordinary circumstances"
- ABC News: Rare nationwide ground stop ordered at airports over communication issues
- CNBC: FAA issues nationwide ground stop citing communication issues
- Axios: FAA issues nationwide ground stop
- FAA National Airspace System Status