The Federal Aviation Administration imposed a nationwide ground stop on Friday afternoon, grounding all flights at Memphis International Airport (MEM) and halting FedEx’s commercial cargo operations, according to Action News 5.
Action News 5 reported that the FAA grounded flights because of communications problems at regional air‑traffic‑control centers. By 5:40 p.m. Friday, MEM’s website was already listing several flight cancellations, and the airport advised passengers to verify their itineraries directly with airlines via mobile apps or websites before heading to the terminal.
In a follow‑up statement, Memphis Airport officials said, “The FAA has lifted the ground stop affecting all airports nationwide. While flights can resume at this point, passengers should check directly with their airlines for scheduling updates throughout the weekend.” The airport emphasized that travelers should continue to monitor airline communications for any further changes.
FedEx, a major employer and logistics hub in the Memphis area, also confirmed that the ground stop suspended its commercial flights. Customers with pending shipments were directed to check the status of their deliveries at fedex.com, the network noted.
The ripple effect extended beyond air travel. The Southeastern Conference announced that the Ole Miss Rebels’ flight to Norman, Oklahoma, was delayed a full day after the ground stop prevented the team from leaving Oxford on Friday night. Action News 5 quoted the SEC: “After the stoppage was lifted, a late‑night departure could not be accommodated by the charter company with which Ole Miss was contracted.” The game, originally set for 4:15 p.m. Eastern Saturday, will now kick off at 1 p.m. Eastern on Sunday.
Oklahoma athletic director Roger Denny criticized the decision, posting on X that the SEC’s move caused “unnecessary disruption and hardship” for fans and labeled the outcome “not fair” to athletes and the institution. He also claimed the SEC threatened Oklahoma with a forfeit, a charge the conference denied.
Other college programs adjusted travel plans as well. The Associated Press, cited by Action News 5, noted that Auburn took a bus to Mississippi State, pushing its kickoff from noon to 4:15 p.m. Eastern, while Baylor, Washington, Kansas State and Minnesota also faced schedule changes.
What’s next: The FAA has indicated that flights may resume, but passengers and shippers are urged to stay in contact with airlines and FedEx for real‑time updates. Ole Miss is slated to depart for Oklahoma on Saturday afternoon, and the Rebels‑Sooners matchup will be played Sunday at 1 p.m. Eastern. Memphis residents planning travel or awaiting shipments should monitor airline and FedEx portals throughout the weekend.
Sources: actionnews5.com, actionnews5.com
