FAA Reopens US Airspace After Nationwide Ground Stop, Blames Aging Equipment

Quick Facts: FAA Nationwide Ground Stop November 13

• US airspace reopened at 8:15 p.m. ET on Friday, November 13, after a nationwide ground stop.

• Aging telecommunications equipment is the suspected cause with officials reporting overloaded switches and inconsistent communications data.

• More than 3,500 aircraft were airborne when the disruption began, according to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

• No evidence of a cyberattack has emerged although federal officials say their investigation is ongoing.

• Thousands of flights were disrupted with approximately 5,000 cancellations reported Friday evening.

• International flights were affected too including temporary restrictions on departures from Europe to the US.

• Delays may continue into Saturday as airlines reposition aircraft, arrange crews, and rebook passengers.

What Caused the FAA Nationwide Ground Stop?

According to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, problems began around 3:36 p.m. Friday when air traffic control facilities started receiving inconsistent communications data. The failure affected both regional approach control facilities and the centers responsible for managing aircraft traveling between airports.

During Friday evening's press conference, Duffy pointed to older time-division multiplexing (TDM) telecommunications equipment. Switches and routers reportedly became overloaded, creating inconsistencies in the information being transmitted to controllers.

Departures stopped nationwide Friday afternoon after air traffic control facilities began receiving inconsistent communications data.

Newer internet protocol (IP) equipment continued functioning, according to Duffy, but problems with the older systems were serious enough for officials to halt departures nationwide as a safety precaution.

More than 3,500 aircraft were airborne when the disruption began, Duffy said. While departures were stopped, controllers worked to manage aircraft already in flight and bring them safely to the ground.

Officials Say There Is No Evidence of a Cyberattack

The sudden nationwide shutdown raised questions about whether the FAA's systems had been targeted by hackers. However, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said investigators had found no indication of malicious activity.

During Friday's briefing, Mullin emphasized that the ground stop was issued as a precaution and that officials had accounted for aircraft affected by the disruption.

Investigators have not completely ruled out a cyberattack, and the underlying trigger remains under investigation. For now, officials believe the failure was related to telecommunications infrastructure rather than a deliberate attack.

Duffy Calls for $50 Billion to Modernize Air Traffic Control

Friday's outage has renewed concerns about the aging technology still supporting America's air traffic control system.

Congress approved $12.5 billion toward modernization in 2025, but Duffy says considerably more money is needed to replace outdated equipment, improve communications, and update air traffic control facilities.

Duffy says decades-old equipment needs replacing and wants $50 billion in emergency funding to do it.

During Friday's press conference, he called for $50 billion in emergency funding to accelerate those improvements, arguing that reliable air traffic control should be a national priority.

The FAA has already begun replacing decades-old technology, including systems dating back to the 1980s. However, Friday's disruption highlights the challenges of modernizing critical infrastructure while keeping the nation's aviation network operating.

The incident also drew comparisons to January 2023, when a separate failure in the FAA's Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system triggered another nationwide ground stop.

Flights Resume, but Delays Could Continue Through Saturday

Although the FAA reopened US airspace at 8:15 p.m. Eastern Time, that doesn't mean every grounded flight can immediately depart.

Airlines now face the complicated task of repositioning aircraft, locating available crews, and accommodating passengers whose travel plans were disrupted. Approximately 5,000 flights had been canceled by Friday night, with thousands more delayed.

Duffy warned that recovery would be gradual, and some Friday services may not resume until Saturday. International flights were also affected by the shutdown, including temporary restrictions on departures heading to the US from Europe.

Some Friday flights may not resume until Saturday as airlines rebook passengers.

The nationwide ground stop has ended, but the recovery is still underway. Travelers should continue monitoring their bookings, even if their flights currently show as scheduled.

Frequently Asked Questions: FAA Nationwide Ground Stop

Is US airspace open again?

Yes. The FAA lifted its nationwide ground stop at 8:15 p.m. ET on Friday, November 13. Flights are permitted to resume, although individual departures may still be delayed or canceled.

What caused the FAA shutdown?

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said older telecommunications switches and routers became overloaded, producing inconsistent information for air traffic controllers. The underlying trigger remains under investigation.

Was the FAA ground stop caused by a cyberattack?

Federal officials say they have found no evidence of a cyberattack so far. However, investigators have not definitively ruled out malicious activity.

Will flights be delayed on Saturday, November 14?

Delays and cancellations could continue as airlines recover from Friday's shutdown. Travelers should check their individual flight status before heading to the airport.

Are international flights affected?

Yes. The shutdown disrupted international travel, including departures heading to the United States from Europe. During the ground stop, inbound international flights were handled on a case-by-case basis.

Can I get a refund if my flight was canceled?

Under US Department of Transportation rules, passengers are generally entitled to a refund if an airline cancels their flight and they choose not to accept alternative transportation.

Editor's note: This article reflects information available following the November 13, 2026, federal briefing. The technical explanation and cyberattack assessment remain preliminary.