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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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.
‘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.
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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