The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered a nationwide ground stop for all U.S. airports on Friday, November 13, 2026, after a communication issue disrupted air traffic control systems across the country.

The problem affected the systems used to manage aircraft along air routes, prompting the regulator to hold all departing flights as a precaution. Media reports described the order as an extremely rare step for U.S. aviation.

The FAA later lifted the ground stop and reopened airspace, allowing flights to resume. Airline shares dropped during the halt, while rental-car stocks rose as travelers sought other options.

Source: NPR