# FAA Lifts Nationwide Ground Stop After Air Traffic Control Outage

> US air traffic control system outage forces nationwide flight ground stop until repairs complete.
- Title: FAA Lifts Nationwide Ground Stop After Air Traffic Control…
- Summary: US air traffic control system outage forces nationwide flight ground stop until repairs complete.
- Keywords: faa, air traffic control, ground stop, transportation secretary, airports, outage, air traffic control system, communication failure, flights, us transportation, air traffic, PCMAG
- Source: PCMAG — https://pcmag.com/news/faa-issues-rare-ground-stop-for-all-flights-over-nationwide-comms-failure
- Author: Michael Kan
- Published: 2026-11-13T22:03:20+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: faa, air traffic control, ground stop, transportation secretary, airports, outage, air traffic control system, communication failure, flights, us transportation, air traffic, technology
## Ground Stop Lifted
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the nationwide ground stop has been lifted after the FAA's air traffic control system outage.
## Outage Cause
Duffy blamed the outage on outdated air traffic control systems that began reporting inconsistent data.
## System Details
The FAA uses 1980s copper lines for air traffic control, causing system overload.
## Secretary Mullin's View
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the outage was tied to recent air traffic control system upgrades.
## System Overload
Duffy explained that new equipment overwhelmed the older system, causing the ground stop.
## Outage Timeline
The ground stop began at 1 p.m. PST on Friday, with flights cleared by 8:15 eastern time.
## FAA Advisory
An FAA advisory confirmed the ground stop was lifted as enroute facilities recovered.
## No Cyber Attack
Duffy denied the outage was tied to the FAA's modern SMART system, calling it disconnected.
## Funding Request
Duffy urged Congress to provide emergency funding to upgrade the outdated air traffic control systems.
## System Failure Warning
Duffy warned the air traffic system will continue to face outages until a full overhaul takes place.
## Key takeaway

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed FAA's outdated air traffic control systems caused a nationwide flight ground stop due to communication failures.