WASHINGTON (Nov. 13, 2026) — The Federal Aviation Administration issued a nationwide ground stop Friday, Nov. 13, ordering all departing flights across the United States to remain grounded until further notice, citing extraordinary circumstances and safety concerns.
The directive affects airports nationwide, including Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (MFR), potentially disrupting air travel for passengers flying into and out of Southern Oregon.
In an air traffic control advisory, the FAA instructed that all departing aircraft remain on the ground until further notice.
“Due to extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety,” the FAA said in its advisory.
International flights arriving in the United States will be handled on a case-by-case basis, according to the agency.
The nationwide order follows reports of significant communications problems affecting air traffic control operations, including radio frequency outages and disruptions reported at multiple air traffic control facilities. Earlier Friday, departing traffic in the Chicago area was also halted amid reported communications issues.
The FAA has not publicly provided a detailed explanation of the circumstances prompting the nationwide directive or identified a specific technical failure as the cause.
Aircraft already airborne are not subject to the same departure restriction and are being allowed to land, while flights preparing to depart must remain grounded.
The duration of the nationwide ground stop was not immediately known.
For travelers in the Rogue Valley, the order means departing flights from Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport could be delayed or canceled while the FAA restriction remains in effect. Passengers with scheduled flights are encouraged to check directly with their airlines for the latest flight status and to confirm departure information before heading to the airport.
The situation remains developing as federal aviation officials work to address the circumstances behind the nationwide stoppage.
Medford Alert News will continue to provide updates on this story as new information becomes available.
Discover more from Medford Alert News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
