U.S. nationwide flight departures suspended due to air traffic control communication failure

The Federal Aviation Administration ordered a nationwide suspension of departures at all United States airports on Friday, November 13, 2026. The order was triggered by communication failures affecting all en-route air traffic control centers. This disruption caused significant delays, with at least 13,000 scheduled flights being canceled or delayed. While departures were halted, aircraft already in flight were permitted to land safely. International flights destined for the United States were managed on a case-by-case basis during the incident.

Details of the communication failure

The disruption initially began with restrictions at Chicago O'Hare and Midway airports before expanding. The communication failure lasted for approximately four hours. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy confirmed the issue via a post on the social network X. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy stated that the disruption affects all en-route air traffic control centers and technicians are investigating. According to Colombian media, the disruption was attributed to old hardware.

Regarding the nature of the incident, Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin stated from the White House that there were no signs of a malicious or terrorist attack. Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin also stated there was no connection to Microsoft. While some outlets reported that landings were also suspended, other reports specified that only departures were suspended and aircraft in flight could land.

Historical context and funding requests

This incident marks the third time in the 21st century that a nationwide suspension of departures has been ordered in the United States. Previous instances include the September 11, 2001, attacks and an incident in January 2023. During the January 2023 event, a computer failure in the system transmitting safety notices to pilots caused a similar suspension lasting nearly two hours.

Following this recent disruption, the Federal Aviation Administration and the White House requested US$30,100 million from Congress to address various issues. This follows a previous allocation where Congress approved US$12,500 million last year for the renewal of the communication system used by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Impact and broader implications

The scale of the disruption is significant given that the Federal Aviation Administration manages an average of 45,000 daily flights and serves approximately 2.9 million airline passengers. The scale of the incident highlights the ongoing challenges regarding aging infrastructure in aviation technology. While the primary impact was felt within the United States aviation network, the event occurred alongside other global activities, such as a 5.6 magnitude earthquake in the Pacific Ocean near Puerto San José, Guatemala.

Glossary

• Federal Aviation Administration — The Federal Aviation Administration is an agency that manages an average of 45,000 daily flights and serves approximately 2.9 million airline passengers. It is responsible for ordering suspensions of departures at United States airports.
• Chicago O'Hare — Chicago O'Hare is an airport located southwest of the Loop in downtown Chicago. It is served by various transportation options and offers direct flights to Milwaukee Mitchell.
• Secretary of Homeland Security — The Secretary of Homeland Security is an official who provides statements regarding national security and potential threats. This role includes addressing concerns from the White House regarding malicious or terrorist attacks.
• White House — The White House is a location from which official government announcements are made. It serves as a venue for statements regarding national security and international relations.