On November 14, 2026, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) lifted the longest nationwide ground stop since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, which lasted over four hours. This unprecedented disruption was caused by an overload in the communication systems of the aging air traffic control infrastructure, as confirmed by US officials. The incident led to significant delays and cancellations, affecting thousands of travelers across the United States and beyond.
- The FAA lifted a historic ground stop affecting over 8,500 flights due to outdated air traffic control systems.
- The ground stop lasted over four hours, marking the longest since the 9/11 attacks.
- No evidence of a cyber-attack was found; the disruption was attributed to communication issues.
- Over 3,500 airplanes were airborne during the ground stop, with many diverted to other airports.
