FAA orders nationwide US flight ground stop, citing safety and air traffic control issues

The nationwide order

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered a nationwide ground stop on Friday, 13 November, halting all departing flights across the United States. The agency cited "extraordinary circumstances" and reasons of safety, according to several outlets reporting the order that evening. One outlet described the measure as extremely rare.

The FAA's notice to air traffic control read:

“All departing traffic should remain groundstopped until further notice.”

Background to the stop

Shortly before the nationwide order, the FAA had paused flights in and out of Chicago because of similar air traffic control problems. Reports tied the restriction to communication problems affecting air traffic control. The Independent described them as critical disruptions to air traffic control communication.

The cause of the order was not confirmed in the early reports. Open and De Morgen both said at the time of their reporting that no cause had been given.

Arrivals and open questions

The FAA said international flights arriving in the United States would be handled on a case-by-case basis. The agency did not immediately reply to inquiries from The Independent, and LBC said it had contacted the FAA for comment. No timetable for lifting the restriction was given in the reports, which said departures would stay grounded until further notice.