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US FAA grounds all departing flights due to communication issues

The US Federal Aviation Administration has ordered a nationwide ground stop for all departing flights until further notice, citing extraordinary circumstances and safety concerns.

By SafarSamachar Desk14 Nov 2026, 2:53 am IST

Illustration

Illustration: SafarSamachar Pix Desk, created with AI assistance. Not a photograph of the event.

Key facts at a glance

1Communication issues prompted the grounding
2International flights are being handled on a case-by-case basis

The US Federal Aviation Administration has ordered a nationwide ground stop for all departing flights until further notice, citing extraordinary circumstances and reasons for safety. The decision was made due to communication issues affecting all air route traffic control centres. The FAA had earlier halted traffic in Chicago due to air traffic control problems.

International flights are being handled on a case-by-case basis. The FAA is currently investigating the cause of the communication problems. The ground stop was announced shortly after the FAA halted traffic in Chicago. The situation is ongoing, and the FAA has not provided a timeline for when flights may resume.

The US Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy, has confirmed that the communication issues are widespread and are the primary reason for the grounding. The FAA has not yet resolved the problems affecting air traffic control centres.

What this means for travellers

If you have a flight departing from the US, contact your airline immediately for updates. The grounding is in place until the FAA resolves the communication issues affecting air traffic control. International flights may be handled differently depending on the situation.

Sources

AABC News Australia

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