US FAA grounds all departing flights due to extraordinary circumstance, safety reasons

Jerusalem Post/World NewsThe FAA said international flights will be managed on a case-by-case basis.Follow us on Google Boeing 737 MAX 10 test aircraft stands on the tarmac during an event marking the FAA certification of the aircraft at Boeing's Everett Delivery Center in Everett, Washington, US, October 20, 2026.(photo credit: REUTERS/JASON REDMOND)NOVEMBER 13, 2026 23:28Updated: NOVEMBER 13, 2026 23:39The US Federal Aviation Administration issued a national ground stop of all departing flights on Friday "due to extraordinary circumstances and reasons for safety" after the agency earlier reported serious air traffic control communications issues.The announcement means flights in the air may land, but flights on the ground cannot take off.Shortly before the announcement, the FAA halted traffic in Chicago due to air traffic control communications issues. The agency said, "All departing traffic should remain groundstopped until further notice."The FAA said international flights will be managed on a case-by-case basis.US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that FAA technicians are investigating the issue and will provide updates as they have them.An American Airlines aircraft takes off as airlines cancelled flights at 40 major airports after the government imposed an unprecedented cut to air travel, citing air traffic control safety concerns because of a record-setting government shutdown, in Boston, Massachusetts, US, November 7, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/BRIAN SNYDER)Second nationwide ground stop since 9/11Friday was the second nationwide ground stop of all departures since the September 11, 2001, attacks. The other happened in January 2023, when the FAA paused all domestic departures for less than two hours.Last year, Congress approved $12.5 billion to fix the FAA's aging communications system, and on Friday the FAA and White House asked Congress for another $30.1 billion to address other issues.Follow us on Google