The FAA system that is meant to distribute notices to pilots on hazards failed at about 2 a.m. Eastern Time, officials said. The FAA ordered airlines to put a halt on all domestic departures until 9 a.m. Eastern time while it tested whether crews had managed to restore the system and bring it back online.

Historically, the most significant "ground stop" occurred on September 11, 2001, due to the terrorist attacks. More recently, in January 2023, the FAA paused all U.S. departures for several hours due to a failure in the NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions) system, which provides pilots with critical safety information. In 2026, the FAA continues to utilize "Ground Stops" as a tactical tool to manage safety during severe weather, system outages, or specific security threats. For instance, in early 2026, the FAA has briefly restricted certain airspaces near the Texas border during Pentagon "counter-drone" operations to prevent interference with commercial traffic. These stops are typically short-term and localized but can cause massive "ripple effect" delays across the national airspace system. The FAA’s primary mandate is "Safety First," so any perceived risk to the communication or navigation infrastructure can trigger a temporary halt to all takeoffs.