Update:
The Federal Aviation Administration lifted its nationwide halt on flight departures in the United States Friday evening following an air traffic control communications outage.
A later FAA operations plan listed separate ground stops requested by individual airlines for flights bound for selected airports.
Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said Canada’s air traffic systems were operating normally. He also said Canada had offered assistance to the FAA, including accommodating U.S.-bound aircraft if needed.
NAV CANADA warned travellers could face further delays as the backlog clears. Travellers should check their flight status directly with their airline before heading to the airport.
Original report, published earlier Friday, follows:
The Federal Aviation Administration halted takeoffs across the United States Friday after an outage disrupted air traffic control communications nationwide.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said there was no indication at that point that a malicious attack had caused the disruption.
“This isn’t another 9/11,” Mullin told reporters, according to ABC News’ report of his remarks.
Mullin said passengers were safe as officials investigated the cause.
The FAA said in an official update on X that it had halted flights as a precaution following a temporary telecommunications outage.
There has been a temporary telecommunications outage – out of an abundance of caution all flights have been halted. Every flight has been accounted for and international flights will be handled on a case by case basis.
— The FAA ✈️ (@FAANews) November 13, 2026
“Every flight has been accounted for,” the agency said.
Communications problem affects regional control centres
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the communications problem affected every regional air traffic control centre.
“FAA technicians are investigating the issue,” Duffy said in an official post on X.
The @FAAnews issued a nationwide ground stop for all U.S. airports following a communication issue impacting all Air Route Traffic Control Centers. FAA technicians are investigating the issue. We will provide immediate updates as we have them.
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) November 13, 2026
His statement did not identify what caused the communications problem.
Departures halted until further notice
The FAA’s nationwide ground-stop advisory cited “extraordinary circumstances” and safety concerns.
The order directed departing aircraft to stay grounded until further notice. Incoming international flights would be handled case by case, the agency said.
The official statements did not provide a firm time for departures to resume.
Canadian flights affected
Flights between Montréal-Trudeau International Airport and U.S. airports were suspended until further notice, according to an official airport notice.
The airport warned that delays and cancellations were expected and urged passengers to check their flight status directly with their airline.
The FAA also advises travellers to contact their airline for flight-specific delay information.
Previous nationwide disruption in 2023
The FAA previously paused domestic departures on Jan. 11, 2023, following an outage of its system for providing safety notices to flight crews. That ground stop was lifted later that morning.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
