All flights in the United States are grounded due to “extraordinary circumstances,” the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration announced Friday.
The FAA issued the ground stop after a “communication issue impacting all U.S. Air Route Traffic Control Centers,” U.S. Transport Secretary Sean Duffy said in a social media post.
Airports in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver confirmed flights to and from the U.S. have been impacted by the grounding.
This is the first nationwide ground stop since January 2023 when a key FAA computer system malfunctioned. Before that the last time had been after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
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Key Details:
- All flights in the U.S. have been grounded due to an air traffic control ‘communication issue’
- The FAA stopped flights around 4:00p.m. ET on Friday
- Canada’s air navigation authority implements traffic management measures at national airports
- Passengers at Canadian airports left waiting for flight details amid stoppage
- No indication of threat to U.S., DHS secretary says
FAA issues 'ground stop' for all flights across U.S. due to safety issue
All flights in the United States are grounded due to "extraordinary circumstances," the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced Friday.
The FAA issued the ground stop after a "communication issue" impacting all U.S. Air Route Traffic Control Centers," U.S. Transport Secretary Sean Duffy said in a social media post.
Caribbean, South America flights may be affected: Air Canada
Yasmine Mehdi, an Air Canada spokesperson, said the ground stop is affecting flights to and from the United States. She said flights to and from the Caribbean and South America may also be affected.
"Any flights currently airborne have been advised they are permitted to continue," said Mehdi. "We are monitoring the situation very closely and will provide updates as they become available."
An Air Canada logo is seen on a partition at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Communication issues don’t appear linked to new FAA system
The communications problems that led to the nationwide halt to flights don’t appear to be linked to the FAA’s new AI-powered system the agency is rolling out to help predict problems in the sky.
The FAA’s SMART system is based in a single location near Washington, D.C., where a team of experts analyzes flight schedules, weather forecasts and hundreds of other streams of data.
Then that office sends recommendations to the FAA’s command centre that relays them to controllers across the country for consideration.
The company that designed the system, ASI, said “the current ground stop is not based on or a result of the SMART system, any product of ASI or our integration with FAA and ATC.”
Travellers wait in line at ticket counters at LaGuardia Airport in New York, Friday, Nov. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Ryan Murphy)
U.S. ground stop throws sports world into chaos
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s decision to ground all flights nationwide Friday threw the sports world into chaos, leaving NBA and NHL teams stranded as they tried to reach their destinations, and NFL teams were left to wonder whether the issue would be resolved in time for them to travel to their games this weekend.
The Nets were among five NBA teams scheduled to fly Friday for games on Saturday. They had just boarded the team plane in New Orleans after playing the Pelicans earlier this week when their flight to Memphis was halted in place.
The Pistons flew earlier in the day to Miami. The Cavaliers, Bulls and Grizzlies play Friday night and were due to fly afterward.
There are 14 scheduled games in the NHL on Saturday. And while the Panthers made it to St. Louis for their game before the stoppage began, the Sharks were among those that were left waiting to leave for their game in Utah.
The FAA did not provide a timeline for restarting flights, leaving sporting events taking place beyond Saturday in limbo. That includes most of the Week 10 schedule in the NFL.
The Nets were among five NBA teams scheduled to fly Friday for games on Saturday. They had just boarded the team plane in New Orleans after playing the Pelicans earlier this week when their flight to Memphis was halted in place.
The Pistons flew earlier in the day to Miami. The Cavaliers, Bulls and Grizzlies play Friday night and were due to fly afterward.
There are 14 scheduled games in the NHL on Saturday. And while the Panthers made it to St. Louis for their game before the stoppage began, the Sharks were among those that were left waiting to leave for their game in Utah.
The FAA did not provide a timeline for restarting flights, leaving sporting events taking place beyond Saturday in limbo. That includes most of the Week 10 schedule in the NFL.
‘Traffic management measures’ at Canadian airports
NAV CANADA, the country’s air navigation authority says it is “implementing traffic management measures” at major airports as a result of the FAA grounding U.S. flights.
The measures will help manage traffic at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL), Calgary International Airport (YYC) and Vancouver International Airport (YVR), the agency said in a post on X.
“Travellers should expect delays and check with their airline,” NAV CANADA added.
Pilots trained how to handle losing communications: expert
Aviation professor Skip Bailey said the reason they teach them that is so they will be prepared if the radio on their plane malfunctions. He said no one expects air traffic controllers nationwide to lose the ability to communicate.
Pilots are expected to maintain the headings and vectors that controllers gave them before the problem. And then if the outage continues, they revert to following their filed flight plan. Pilots may also be able to communicate with each other over the radio even if they can’t talk to controllers. And airliners have their own radar systems.
“It’s not mass chaos out there. There’s plenty of ways to try to communicate,” said Bailey, who teaches at the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s aviation institute. “But not letting anybody take off again obviously is extremely important because we don’t want to put more aircraft into a system that’s already having an issue.”
The Air Force One pilot prepares to take-off, with U.S. President Donald Trump aboard, at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
Pearson passengers wait for flight updates
A number of passengers flying to the U.S. at Toronto Pearson Airport are still waiting for updates from their airlines about their flights.
Donna, who is flying to New York City for the weekend, says her flight has been rescheduled for tomorrow.
“I was really hoping to fly out tonight. So, it’s a bit of an unfortunate situation,” she told CP24.
“Definitely very disappointed that my plans for the weekend have been cancelled, or at least very delayed.”
Derek is supposed to fly to Las Vegas and says Air Canada has told him to “stick around.” However, he is not optimistic that he’ll get to his destination.
“It’s most likely going to be cancelled. And even if you’re rebooked till tomorrow, it’s unlikely. So, I think you’re going to have people with a lot of refunds,” Derek said.
Shahab Mirmiran came to Toronto on Monday for work and is hoping to get back to Los Angeles tonight.
"Unfortunately, we don’t know what’s going on. I have to go. I need to do something for work,” he said. “They’re just saying you have to wait.”
Another man who arrived from London, U.K., says he's waiting to hear about his connecting flight to Raleigh, N.C.
“It stinks, but just holding off for a little bit and seeing what happens,” he said.
With files from CP24 reporter Natalie Van Rooy
Several passengers at Pearson Airport are waiting for updates about their flights to the U.S., as a ground stop remains in place. CP24
Flights to and from Ottawa impacted
The Ottawa International Airport said flights to and from the U.S. are currently impacted “until further notice.”
There are two flights scheduled to depart from YOW destined for the U.S., one to Boston and one to Chicago. There are flights scheduled to arrive in Ottawa from Chicago, Washington, Newark, Fort Myers and Fort Lauderdale.
“Please check with your airline before travelling to the airport. We will update information as it becomes available,” the airport said.
In statement to CTV News, an airport spokesperson said they are expecting some U.S. flights could be diverted to Ottawa.
‘Canadian systems are operating normally’: minister
Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon confirmed on Friday that Canada’s air traffic systems are running as expected.
“Canadian systems are operating normally,” he said in a post on X, adding that he is in contact with NAV CANADA.
However, he advised that travel to the U.S. may be disrupted.
“We will continue to monitor developments as the situation evolves and remain in contact with the relevant authorities.”
More than two dozen U.S. flights to and from Pearson cancelled
According to Toronto Pearson Airport’s website, as of 5:30 p.m. ET, about 14 flights to a number of U.S. destinations, including Newark, Boston, Chicago, and Seattle, have been cancelled.
Meanwhile, at least 26 American flights scheduled to arrive at Pearson tonight have also been cancelled.
Several planes are parked at Toronto Pearson Airport on Friday. CP24/CTV News Helicopter
Vancouver braces for delays
Vancouver International Airport says travellers heading to the U.S. should expect interruptions amid the FAA’s nationwide ground stop.
YVR is seeing delays for U.S.-bound departures, as well as “some international flights that would fly over the U.S.," the Richmond, B.C.-based airport says in a notice online Friday.
“Domestic flights within Canada are not impacted,” the airport adds.
“We recommend travellers check their flight status with their airline or yvr.ca before coming to the airport.”
No sign grounding triggered by threat: DHS Secretary
U.S. Homeland Security chief Markwayne Mullin on Friday said there was no indication of a threat to the country after a ground stop was issued at airports nationwide.
“There was no indication, as of yet, that this was a nefarious attack against us, it’s just a telecommunication outage, as of right now,” Mullins said, adding officials were “not ruling out anything at this point.”
‘Every flight has been accounted for’: FAA
The FAA says every flight has been accounted for and international flights will “be handled on a case by case basis.”
In a social post on the agency’s X account, the FAA said the call to halt all flights was made “out of an abundance of caution” due to a “temporary telecommunications outage.”
Issue appears similar to September outage: expert
Former United Airlines pilot and aviation expert Steve Arroyo said the problem appeared similar to a regional air traffic control communication outage in September that snarled hundreds of flights across the Northeast, except this time on a nationwide scale.
Arroyo said it could be linked to the outdated technology used by air traffic controllers.
“If you don’t have that ability, whether it’s because the old wires that they have are just run down or for whatever reason, you’ve got to stop airplanes on the ground,” said Arroyo. “And not put them in the air where you’re going to risk not being able to communicate with them.”
Edmonton flights could be impacted
The Edmonton International Airport (YEG) said some flights may be impacted as a result of the nationwide ground stop issued by the FAA.
There are several flights scheduled to depart to the U.S. from Edmonton on Friday, according to an airport spokesperson.
“As this is an evolving situation, passengers travelling to the United States today should check directly with their airline for the latest information on their flight before coming to the airport,” Erin Isfeld told CTV News Edmonton.
U.S.-bound flights held at YYC
Calgary International Airport says all U.S.-bound flights are staying put while a nationwide ground stop unfolds south of the border.
“We are monitoring the FAA nationwide ground stop. Departures of all U.S.-bound flights are currently being held at YYC until further notice,” the airport said in a statement Friday evening.
“We encourage travellers with flights scheduled for the U.S. to check with their airline for the most up-to-date information.”
Damien Wood and Cassidy McMackon, CTV News Calgary
‘This isn’t another 9/11’: DHS Secretary
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin told reporters at the White House Friday that U.S. President Donald Trump has been briefed on the issue.
Mullin told reporters that he, the president and Duffy, along with counterparts throughout “all agencies,” will work in collaboration to find out what happened. He reiterated that there is “no fear to the public.”
“This isn’t another 9/11… I can’t repeat this enough” he said.
He said it’s “too early to tell” how long the stoppage will last.
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin speaks with reporters at the White House, Friday, Nov. 13, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Passengers should contact airlines: Toronto's Billy Bishop
Billy Bishop Airport, located on the Toronto Islands, posted a notice on their website Friday afternoon advising travellers to the U.S. to contact airlines directly.
“We are aware of the ground stop affecting outbound flights at U.S. airports,” it read. “Billy Bishop Airport passengers are advised to contact their airlines directly for the latest information on flight status, delays and cancellations.”
Montreal airport suspends flights
The Montreal-Trudeau International Airport announced that it is temporarily suspending all flights to and from the U.S. following the FAA’s nationwide ground stop.
The flights are suspended “until further notice,” according to a notice on the Montreal airport’s website.
“Passengers are encouraged to check their flight status directly with their airline,” the airport said, adding that flight delays and cancellations are expected.
NAV Canada monitoring situation
NAV Canada said Friday they’re “closely monitoring” the FAA ground stop.
Our systems are operating normally and there is currently no impact to our operations,” they said in a social media post.
“We continue to support the safe movement of air traffic in our airspace, including any aircraft that may be diverted.
The company said passengers should check the status of their flight with the airline.
Flights between Toronto Pearson and U.S. impacted: GTAA
The Greater Toronto Airports Authority says flights between Pearson Airport and the U.S. “are impacted by the FAA’s nationwide ground stop.”
“There are currently no scheduled U.S.-bound departures or arrivals at this time,” said the GTAA, which operates the airport.
“Passengers are advised to check directly with their airline for the latest flight information before heading to the airport.”
According to Pearson’s website, several flights to and from the U.S. are delayed.
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