Ground stop ordered for all airports nationwide for ‘reasons of safety’
Fatima holds a Bachelor's in Sociology and Communications from the University at Buffalo and has spent four years reporting on community issues for Rochester's grassroots publications. Her deep engagement with local neighborhoods informs her storytelling.
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Ground stop ordered for all airports nationwide for ‘reasons of safety’ By News10NBC ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — The Federal Aviation Administration has grounded all flights nationwide Friday “due to extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety.” According to NBC News , unusual alert contained no other information beyond stating that “all departing traffic should remain ground stopped until further notice.” In a statement on social media, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said FAA technicians are investigating the issue. The @FAAnews issued a nationwide ground stop for all U.S. airports following a communication issue impacting all Air Route Traffic Control Centers. FAA technicians are investigating the issue. We will provide immediate updates as we have them. — Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) November 13, 2026 The last time the FAA ordered a nationwide ground stop was in January 2023 due to a failure in the Notice to Air Missions system, which alert pilots to a host of potential dangers. After the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the FAA ordered an unprecedented nationwide ground stop. NBC says all civilian air traffic across U.S. airspace was halted and airborne planes were ordered to land at the nearest available airports. Impact on Rochester Airport Our Erin Mahon is at the Frederick Douglass Greater International Airport talking to people impacted. One woman told Mahon that she was trying to go to Los Angeles to see her daughter just for three days. On the airport website, it shows that five arrivals and nine departures are delayed as of 4:50 p.m. Friday. Click here for the latest flight information. News10NBC has reached out to Monroe County and the airport. Check back later for updates as we work to learn more.