On Friday, November 13, 2026, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a nationwide ground stop for all departing flights shortly before 4 p.m., grounding aircraft at Omaha’s Eppley Airfield and other Nebraska airports. The FAA and the White House initially attributed the disruption to a “telecommunication outage,” according to 3NewsNow.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, a member of the Trump administration, later clarified that the stop was caused by outdated air‑traffic‑control technology and routers overloaded with data. Duffy said more than 3,500 flights were in the air at the time and all landed safely.
Passengers described confusion and anxiety. Alaska Airlines gate agent Susana Muon said travelers were eager to be rebooked and on their way. Dr. Yazan Almohtasib expressed concern about missing his brother’s engagement, while Kenyatta Clayton received an overnight hotel voucher after his flight was diverted back to Florida.
By early evening, the FAA lifted the alert. 3NewsNow reported the stop was lifted shortly after 8 p.m., while WOW T noted the lift occurred around 7:30 p.m. Both outlets confirmed the Trump administration’s swift response, with Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin emphasizing that the issue was a telecommunications problem and that there was no sign of an attack.
Despite the lift, Nebraska airports continued to experience cancellations and delays into Saturday. WOW T reported that morning departures from Omaha to Atlanta and Houston were canceled, and United flights at North Platte Regional Airport were also scrubbed. A Southwest flight bound for Nashville, scheduled for 9 p.m., was among those affected.
Local authorities confirmed that the grounding did not impede general aviation or police operations. Omaha Police, speaking with First Alert 6, said air‑traffic control allowed normal operations for local VFR flights, and the grounding did not affect the airport’s own activities.
Airlines began notifying passengers of the ongoing disruptions. Delta Air Lines announced that remaining flights for the night were likely canceled and would resume Saturday. Nebraska Athletics confirmed that the Husker football team landed in New Jersey ahead of its Saturday game.
What’s next: Travelers are urged to check directly with their airlines for the latest status, as delays may persist through Saturday. Eppley Airfield and Lincoln Airport continue to post updates on social media, and the FAA is reviewing its communications systems to prevent future outages.
Sources: 3newsnow.com, omaha.com, wowt.com
