This message was pulled from a ATC communications system ordering the stop. These are terse direct communications for professionals who don't need or have time to read the story of what's going on. The news, not having any initial sources besides this is just reporting it, at the time they had no more information.
Like if you're ordering a pizza they don't need the story of your day, why you chose pepperoni, or what movie you plan to watch. Somebody else might be interested, but not the pizza guy.
ATCSCC Advisory
ATCSCC 111 DCC 11/13/2026 NATIONAL GROUND STOP
MESSAGE:
EVENT TIME: 13/2053 - 14/0400
DUE TO EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES AND FOR REASONS OF SAFETY.
ATTENTION ALL AIRCRAFT OPERATORS, BY ORDER OF THE FEDERAL AVIATION
COMMAND CENTER ALL AIRPORTS ARE GROUND STOPPED. ALL DEPARTING
TRAFFIC SHOULD REMAIN GROUND STOPPED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. INBOUND
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS WILL BE MANAGED ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS.
EFFECTIVE TIME: 132054 - 140430
SIGNATURE: 26/11/13 20:54
> Transport Secretary Sean Duffy says the FAA "issued a nationwide ground stop for all US airports following a communication issue impacting all Air Route Traffic Control Centers.
> Would it really hurt to appoint qualified people?
Republicans hate expertise, it's a natural consequence of having a world view where facts don't matter. Unfortunately, the rest of us are paying the price for this spectacularly unqualified administration.
The flight crew on my LHR-SEA flight "still expects to land in the US." The lack of conviction in that expectation was audible. I don't get the impression that they're being told very much, but maybe that's literally a consequence of the "communication issues."
Secretary of Homeland Security just assured a press conference that all planes in the air will be dealt with on a case by case basis. Some may be prioritised.
I'm seeing some diversions on Flightradar24. E.g. DAL2195 from Tampa to LGA was diverted to Harrisburg. But some flights are continuing to their original destinations.
We were offered $1500 to get on a later flight and I’m so glad I didn’t get to the counter on time to take them up on it. Saw the news reports a half hour before landing.
>I can't believe people actually think outlook being down would take down all departures across the US
Because American infrastructure is modern, well designed, maintained and funded? Because government is competent and rational? I could absolutely believe that would happen.
If true and this ends up lasting an hour or more, that's going to be undeniably, objectively hilarious. At least they used to keep the planes running on time!
--- EDIT:
This could just be the first issue that's arisen -- the FAA announced it "is expanding across the nation" on Tuesday. Which could really mean anything.
The Ars Technica article behind the Gizmodo one sadly doesn't have more info, either.
It'd be kind of absurd if a read-only integration took down nationwide infrastructure, but A) we've all been there... and B) the gizmodo article does mention they're also trying to phase out floppy disks for some jobs still, which tells me their CI/CD and rollback hygiene might not be top-notch. Hopefully the Real World contestant in charge of our transportation network is on site with a ClaudeCode terminal as we speak!
It does sound pretty deeply integrated, I will say:
SMART is a cloud-based system that centralizes 200 data streams – including weather patterns, flight paths, traffic flow, and controller staffing metrics – into one platform.
Oh boy, that feels plausible. Some of these legacy systems are pretty fragile and aren't designed to be queried heavily outside of well established patterns.
I could see AI deploying something that just obliterates those systems with requests.
If so we are really speedrunning into idiocracy with AI.
Doubtful. That tool likely suggests "improved" clearances, which a controller can use at their discretion. It likely does not control clearances directly.
And the early reports describe the issue as related to ATC communication infrastructure.
There's enough space, but not enough gates. If they think the stop may end in a reasonable time some planes will be pulling away from their gates even without a departure time to make room for the landing planes (or rather, they will have missed their departure time and not have a new one). Landing planes will be able to disembark, and probably won't be boarded again until it's resolved and enough departing traffic has cleared that it's obvious that those flights won't be canceled for today as well.
The boarded and grounded planes may start disembarking passengers at some point, especially if their crews are hitting their maximum time before mandatory rest. These delays will probably prevent replacement crews from arriving.
>The FAA has issued a nationwide departure ground stop “due to several impacts to ATC Frequencies and/or Radar capabilities,” the Air Current reported, referring to air traffic control systems. The FAA command center said it does not have further information on the “timing or cause of this outage,” the publication said.
My wife's plane was about to take off (moving) but then stopped. I just messaged her to check once I saw the news. Sounds like the people onboard weren't given any info as to why. They're still on the runway waiting.
Physics says all planes land. I guess eventfully would be diversion (maybe to Canada lol) or Mayday Fuel (but you probably won't know it happened anyway - it just means some reserve fuel will be used).
522 comments
[ 4.1 ms ] story [ 45.7 ms ] threadI'm sure there is a reason for it but can they not be a little bit more specific?
Like if you're ordering a pizza they don't need the story of your day, why you chose pepperoni, or what movie you plan to watch. Somebody else might be interested, but not the pizza guy.
effective 2:54PM - 10:30PM central time
> Transport Secretary Sean Duffy says the FAA "issued a nationwide ground stop for all US airports following a communication issue impacting all Air Route Traffic Control Centers.
I would go so far to say that if we had elected someone other than the clown show in 2024 we might still have a functional air travel system.
I think I see the problem. His claim to fame: “resident playboy” on *The Real World: Boston”. Would it really hurt to appoint qualified people?
Republicans hate expertise, it's a natural consequence of having a world view where facts don't matter. Unfortunately, the rest of us are paying the price for this spectacularly unqualified administration.
Most airliners over the ocean also have inmarsat satphones for the pilots.
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50489678
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/ground-stop-chicago-oha...
Because American infrastructure is modern, well designed, maintained and funded? Because government is competent and rational? I could absolutely believe that would happen.
--- EDIT:
This could just be the first issue that's arisen -- the FAA announced it "is expanding across the nation" on Tuesday. Which could really mean anything.
FAA Announcement: https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/statements/general-statements
The Ars Technica article behind the Gizmodo one sadly doesn't have more info, either.
It'd be kind of absurd if a read-only integration took down nationwide infrastructure, but A) we've all been there... and B) the gizmodo article does mention they're also trying to phase out floppy disks for some jobs still, which tells me their CI/CD and rollback hygiene might not be top-notch. Hopefully the Real World contestant in charge of our transportation network is on site with a ClaudeCode terminal as we speak!
It does sound pretty deeply integrated, I will say:
I could see AI deploying something that just obliterates those systems with requests.
If so we are really speedrunning into idiocracy with AI.
And the early reports describe the issue as related to ATC communication infrastructure.
The boarded and grounded planes may start disembarking passengers at some point, especially if their crews are hitting their maximum time before mandatory rest. These delays will probably prevent replacement crews from arriving.
(from Bloomberg)
edit: https://www.fly.faa.gov/ois/oisedit/adv_oisedit_dis?number=1...
... ground stop is in effect for all destinations until further notice due to rolling frequency outtage in multiple centers...
https://x.com/Anna_Giaritelli/status/2121344915091206311
Which is cited in the Hindustan Times (leading Indian newspaper), which refers to the Twitter source as a journalist.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/faa-issues...
You need to wait for the third shoe to drop.