Regulatory Alert: FAA Issues Nationwide Ground Stop Due to “Extraordinary Circumstances”

November 13, 2026

Within the past hour, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a rare nationwide ground stop of all aircraft operations in the United States “due to extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety.” There are multiple reports of communication issues impacting Air Route Traffic Control Centers, which manage air traffic at high altitudes. The FAA advisory specifically states:

“DUE TO EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES AND FOR REASONS OF SAFETY. ATTENTION ALL AIRCRAFT OPERATORS, BY ORDER OF THE FEDERAL AVIATION COMMAND CENTER ALL AIRPORTS ARE GROUND STOPPED. ALL DEPARTING TRAFFIC SHOULD REMAIN GROUND STOPPED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. INBOUND INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS WILL BE MANAGED ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS.”

The nationwide ground stop is the first since January 2023 after a failure of the FAA’s Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) system, which provides critical safety information to flight crews. Prior to the 2023 event, the last ground stop occurred on September 11, 2001. AAAE is in contact with the FAA, which is investigating the issue, and will share additional information with members as it becomes available.