FAA orders rare nationwide ground stop at all US airports due to 'extraordinary circumstances'

MORE: America could descend into chaos in minutes: Ex-FBI agents warn of 'existential threat' and reveal why families must stockpile food, cash and escape bags now Published: 16:12 EST, 13 November 2026 | Updated: 16:46 EST, 13 November 2026 The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a nationwide ground stop on all US flights due to 'extraordinary circumstances.'According to reports, an unusual radio frequency outage has hit multiple high-traffic areas which has triggered the ground stops at all airports.The Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC) said at 3.54pm ET that the reason for the immediate halting of US flights was: 'Due to extraordinary circumstances for safety reasons.'According to GroundStop.app, a third-party website tracking FAA data, the initial problems are suspected to have begun with air traffic control equipment failing and communication problems being reported at Chicago's O'Hare International.The FAA has ordered all departing traffic in the US to remain on the ground until further notice. Currently, the ground stop is scheduled to last until 11pm.International flights heading towards the US will be managed on a case-by-case basis until the crisis is over. It is not clear if some flights will have to reroute to destinations outside the US.US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the ground stop on X at 4.16pm, saying the order was given ‘following a communication issue impacting all Air Route Traffic Control Centers.’‘FAA technicians are investigating the issue. We will provide immediate updates as we have them,’ he added. Chicago O'Hare International Airport (File Image) International flights heading towards the US will be managed on a case-by-case basis until the crisis is overThe last time a nationwide ground stop for departing US flights was issued was on January 11, 2023, after a failure in the FAA’s Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system.Flights were also grounded and US airspace was closed following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.According to Anna Giaritelli from the Washington Examiner, FAA employees feared the issue may be related to a potential cyberattack on the US.Giaritelli posted on X: 'FAA employee tells me: "Being that it is affecting a lot of the country id say it’s a major issue with AI type implications."'This is a breaking story. More details to follow.