TravelSaturday, November 14
The FAA lifted a rare nationwide ground stop Friday, but O'Hare and Midway delays may last
The 5AM Evanston team
If you're flying out of O'Hare or Midway this weekend, check with your airline first. The FAA issued a rare nationwide ground stop on all departing flights Friday "due to extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety." It lifted the stop shortly before 7:30 p.m., but delays were expected to persist into the weekend.
Chicago's airports got their own ground stops first, citing an "equipment outage." O'Hare's took effect at 2:10 p.m. and Midway's at 2:17 p.m., and hundreds of flights were delayed by mid-afternoon.
Friday's ground stops began at O'Hare and spread nationwide
- Nov. 13At 2:10 p.m., a ground stop takes effect at O'Hare for an "equipment outage."
- Nov. 13At 2:17 p.m., a ground stop takes effect at Midway for an "equipment outage."
- Nov. 13Before 3 p.m., the FAA orders departing flights to stay on the ground nationwide.
- Nov. 13Before 7:30 p.m., the FAA lifts the nationwide ground stop.
Sources: FOX 32 Chicago, Shaw Local
- Cause: a telecommunication outage, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said
- Malicious activity: no indication, multiple officials told NBC News
- Last nationwide ground stop: January 2023
- Pritzker: state officials are "demanding answers"
NBC Chicago reported air traffic control audio of a Denver controller telling a United crew the disruption "may have started in O'Hare." NBC hasn't confirmed that, and the FAA hasn't said where it began. We suggest checking your airline's app before you leave home.
Friday's ground stop by the numbers
- 213
- delays at O'Hare as of 3:11 p.m.
- 55
- delays at Midway as of 3:11 p.m.
- 750+
- flight cancellations at O'Hare and Midway combined
- 22
- regional air traffic control centers with the issue
Sources: FOX 32 Chicago, NBC 5 Chicago, Shaw Local
Sources: WGHN, Shaw Local, NBC 5 Chicago, FOX 32 Chicago