{
  "id": 19870901,
  "title": "Rare nationwide ground stop ordered at airports over communication issues: FAA",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/rare-nationwide-ground-stop-ordered-at-airports-over-communication",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-13T21:44:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News (US)",
    "slug": "abc-news-us",
    "url": "https://abcnews.com/US/nationwide-ground-stop-ordered-airports-faa/story?id=138121848"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a nationwide ground stop at all airports on Friday, marking the second such order since September 11, 2001. The decision comes due to a communication issue affecting air traffic control, as stated in the agency's alert. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy later confirmed the ground stop via an X post, attributing it to a communication issue impacting all Air Route Traffic Control Centers.\n\nFAA technicians are currently investigating the issue, according to Duffy. This is not the first time the FAA has ordered a nationwide ground stop since the 9/11 attacks. The last instance occurred in 2023 when the FAA's NOTAM system went down, preventing pilots from accessing their pre-departure paperwork.\n\nAir Route Traffic Control Centers are responsible for managing flights above 18,000 feet across the United States. There are 22 of these centers nationwide. Pilots who are already in the air have their flight plans and are prepared to continue their journey in case of an emergency. John Nance, an ABC News contributor, noted that all pilots in this situation are well aware of the necessary actions to take.\n\nEarlier in the day, the FAA had also issued a ground stop at Chicago's O'Hare and Midway airports due to an equipment outage. This situation is still developing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.",
  "summary": "The Federal Aviation Administration ordered a nationwide ground stop Friday for all airports due a communication issue impacting all Air Route Traffic Control Centers.",
  "key_points": [
    "FAA issues nationwide ground stop at all airports on Friday",
    "Communication issue affecting air traffic control centers",
    "Investigation ongoing by FAA technicians"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times - World News",
        "title": "FAA issues US-wide ground stops due to rolling 'frequency outage’; all flight departures halted",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/faa-issues-us-wide-ground-stops-due-to-rolling-frequency-outage-all",
        "published": "2026-11-13T20:58:56.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}