Friday night the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a nationwide ground stop that halted departures and arrivals at every U.S. airport, including Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF). The FAA lifted the stop a few hours later, after 10 p.m., stating that its systems had been tested and were stable. Louisville officials warned that lingering impacts would be felt throughout the weekend.
According to WLKY, the airport’s own statement at 8:58 p.m. confirmed that flight operations were permitted to resume but that travelers should expect continued delays and cancellations. The agency’s Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy, told reporters the disruption stemmed from a telecommunications issue that affected air‑traffic‑control centers, emphasizing the administration’s priority on safety.
Before the stop was lifted, SDF reported that 37 departing and arriving flights had been canceled and 29 flights were delayed as of 8 p.m. Friday. By the end of the day, airport officials said a total of 53 flights had been canceled. The cancellations continued into Saturday; at 11:15 a.m., another 41 flights were reported canceled, and airport public‑relations director Natalie Chaudoin warned that “lingering impacts … will continue throughout today and tomorrow.” By 8 p.m. Saturday, the total of canceled flights at SDF stood at 49, according to WLKY’s follow‑up coverage.
Nationally, the Get the Facts Data Team’s analysis of FlightAware data showed more than 9,100 flights canceled across the United States on Nov. 13, the second‑highest cancellation count of the year, surpassed only by the Jan. 25 winter storm that erased over 11,500 flights. Over 7,200 flights were delayed, a figure that aligns with typical daily delay volumes. As of 9 a.m. Saturday, more than 3,700 flights remained canceled.
Travelers at SDF described the scramble to reach their destinations. Casey De Palma, returning from a business trip, and fellow passenger Jennifer Martinez rented a car for a 13‑hour drive to Tampa, Florida. “I feel very sick about it. It’s a long drive,” De Palma said. Melissa Betts, hoping to get to Chicago for a cousin’s school musical, considered taking an Uber between towns. Ben Murphy, stranded after his flight was repeatedly rebooked and canceled, contemplated a 16½‑hour drive home to Colorado to reunite with his three young children. Other passengers, such as Eric Mason and Susan Armstrong, faced re‑booking hassles and extended layovers.
Airport staff observed inconsistencies between on‑site departure boards and the FlightAware online tracker, adding to passenger confusion. WLKY advises travelers to monitor flight status directly through airline websites or mobile apps and to stay in touch with airlines for the latest updates.
What’s next: SDF expects foot traffic to increase in the afternoon as airlines work through the backlog. Passengers should continue checking their flight status and be prepared for possible additional cancellations or delays through Sunday.
