The Waterbury Times|Nov 13, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered a nationwide ground stop, halting departing flights at airports across the United States Friday afternoon following widespread air traffic control communications problems.

The unprecedented disruption was ordered for safety reasons after communications issues affected the nation’s air traffic control system.

The FAA instructed airlines and aircraft operators to keep departing aircraft on the ground until further notice. Aircraft already airborne were not ordered to land, and international arrivals and departures are being handled on a case-by-case basis.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the situation Friday, saying FAA technicians were investigating the communications failure.

According to the Associated Press, the communications problems affected all 22 regional air traffic control centers responsible for guiding aircraft between airports.

Thousands of Flights Potentially Affected

The nationwide order is expected to create significant disruptions for travelers, airlines and airport operations.

Flight delays and cancellations are being reported across the country as airlines respond to the FAA directive. Flight-tracking data cited in international reporting indicated that nearly 7,000 flights had already been delayed or canceled amid the disruption.

Travelers scheduled to depart from airports throughout Connecticut and the broader New England region should anticipate possible delays and check directly with their airlines before heading to the airport.

The FAA has not announced when the nationwide ground stop will be lifted.

Not the First Nationwide Aviation Disruption

The nationwide grounding is a rare occurrence in American aviation.

The last nationwide ground stop occurred in January 2023, when a failure involving the FAA’s Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system disrupted flight operations across the country.

That incident prompted a temporary halt to departures while officials worked to restore the system.

Friday’s disruption raises renewed questions about the reliability and modernization of the country’s air traffic control infrastructure.

Congress approved $12.5 billion last year for FAA modernization efforts. The White House and FAA are also seeking an additional $30.1 billion to address broader infrastructure and technology needs.

What Travelers Should Know

Passengers with upcoming flights should:

• Check their airline’s website or mobile application for flight status updates.
• Avoid assuming a scheduled departure time remains accurate.
• Contact their airline before traveling to the airport.
• Monitor official FAA announcements for updates on the ground stop.

The situation remains fluid. The Waterbury Times will continue monitoring developments and update this report as additional information becomes available.

This is a developing story.