FAA issues nationwide ground stop until further notice

(Posted: Nov. 13, 2026, 11:30 a.m.) The Federal Aviation Command Center has announced a nationwide ground stop until further notice. International flights will be managed on a case by case basis. Passengers with Hawaiʻi departures today should check with their carrier for direction.

Officials with the state Department of Transportation tell Maui Now that the ground stoppage is due to “extraordinary circumstances and for safety.” Department officials say international flights will be coming in. Travelers with flights today are advised to check with their carrier for updates.

The information was shared via the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation social media platforms shortly after news spread via national news outlets.

US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy attributed the stoppage to a “communication issue impacting all Air Route Traffic Control Centers.” His post states that FAA technicians are investigating the issue.

Shortly after 12 p.m., the FAA posted an update acknowledging a “temporary telecommunications outage.” The FAA notes that all flights were halted “out of an abundance of caution.” The FAA states that every flight has been accounted for.

As of around 12:15 p.m., Flight Aware reports that the total number of delays within, into, or out of the United States today is more than 9,000. Cancellations are currently listed at 623 for flights within, into, or out of the United States.

A nationwide stoppage is considered an extremely rare, having only occurred prior to this on Sept. 11, 2001 following the terrorist attacks, and January 2023 due to a failure in the NOTAM computer system, according to multiple media reports.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.