Ground stop ordered for all airports nationwide for ‘reasons of safety’
Travelers at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport on April 16.John Lazenby / Universal Images Group via GettyShareAdd NBC News to GoogleNov. 13, 2026, 4:09 PM EST / Updated Nov. 13, 2026, 4:22 PM ESTBy Corky SiemaszkoThe Federal Aviation Administration on Friday ordered a nationwide ground stop on all departing flights “due to extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety.”
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“Inbound international flights will be managed on a case by case basis,” the FAA said.
Nationwide ground stops are extremely rare.
“FAA technicians are investigating the issue,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in an online post. “We will provide immediate updates as we have them.”
After the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the FAA ordered an unprecedented nationwide ground stop. All civilian air traffic across U.S. airspace was halted and airborne planes were ordered to land at the nearest available airports.
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Corky SiemaszkoCorky Siemaszko is a senior reporter for NBC News Digital.
