TravelSunday, November 15
Flights at O'Hare and Midway are still disrupted after Friday's nationwide ground stop
The 5AM Evanston team
If you're flying out of O'Hare or Midway, check with your airline before you leave home. The FAA's nationwide ground stop has been lifted, but it left many departing flights at both Chicago airports canceled. Flyers are still dealing with the aftermath of hundreds of cancellations, and some are wondering where their luggage will end up.
Friday's ground stop was the first nationwide since January 2023
- Jan. 2023Last nationwide ground stop, after an FAA computer malfunction
- Nov. 13FAA grounds flights nationwide, including O'Hare and Midway
- Nov. 13FAA lifts the ground stop so departures can resume
- Nov. 14Departing flights at O'Hare and Midway are still canceled
Sources: ABC7 Chicago, NBC 5 Chicago, Shaw Local
The FAA grounded flights nationwide Friday, then said the move followed communication issues and later called it a temporary telecommunications outage. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said there was no indication of a “nefarious attack”, though officials hadn't ruled out a cyberattack and didn't yet know the cause.
“There is no reason to be concerned about your loved ones if they're flying or anything like that.”
- Affected: departing flights only; arrivals were expected to continue
- Before the stop: O'Hare and Midway had ground stops for an "equipment outage"
The FAA and DHS explained the ground stop in stages
| Who | What was said |
|---|---|
| FAA, first statement | Extraordinary circumstances, reasons of safety |
| FAA, update | Communication issues at control centers |
| FAA, later | A temporary telecommunications outage |
| DHS Secretary Mullin | No sign of a "nefarious attack" |
Source: NBC 5 Chicago
Sources: ABC7 Chicago, CBS Chicago, NBC 5 Chicago, Shaw Local