The Federal Aviation Administration has brought all departing flights at U.S. airports to a complete standstill today, November 13, causing disruptions for travelers at Miami (MIA), Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL) and Palm Beach (PBI) International Airports.
The nationwide ground stop took effect at around 4 p.m. and officials have stated there is currently no timeline for restarting flights, with departures remaining grounded “until further notice.”
If you have a flight out of South Florida tonight, expect delays and cancellations. Inbound international flights will also be managed on a case-by-case basis, according to the government agency.
Pointing to “extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety,” the FAA attributed the halt to a widespread communications failure impacting multiple Air Route Traffic Control Centers. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that technicians are investigating the issue and that immediate updates will be provided.
What travelers can do right now
- Check with your airline: Rely on your airline’s official app, website or text notifications for real-time flight statuses and automated rebooking tools.
- Avoid the airport: If you have an outbound flight tonight, do not head to the airport unless your airline gives you explicit confirmation that your flight is operating.
- Have your booking info ready: Customer service lines and apps will be overwhelmed. Keep your confirmation number immediately accessible to speed up the process when you get through the queue.
- Monitor official channels: Watch for real-time updates directly from the FAA and Secretary Duffy on Twitter. The FAA’s National Airspace System Status Page is a real-time dashboard providing updates on ground stops and airport delays.
Miami International Airport has urged travelers via social media to check their flight status directly with their airline before heading to the airport.
As we know more information, we will keep you updated.
