The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered a nationwide halt to departures from US airports on Friday, November 13, after a communications problem affected air traffic control centers across the country. The agency told aircraft scheduled to leave US airports to remain on the ground until further notice.

The FAA cited safety reasons and extraordinary circumstances but did not say how long the suspension would last. US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the communications problem had affected all air traffic control centers in the country. He said FAA technicians were investigating and would provide updates as more information became available.

Passengers held at Miami

The suspension left passengers waiting at airports, including one Brazilian traveler whose experience was reported by Metrópoles. The unidentified passenger spent about two hours aboard a Latam aircraft at Miami International Airport. The flight was scheduled to travel to Lima, Peru.

The passenger told the publication that travelers were later instructed to leave the aircraft. The account offers a snapshot of the disruption for people already waiting to depart, although the reports did not establish how many passengers were affected overall.

Investigation and advice for travelers

Duffy said the FAA was investigating the communications problem, but officials had not provided a precise technical explanation or a time for lifting the ground stop. The FAA’s instruction, as reported, applied to departures; the available information did not clarify whether arriving flights were also restricted.

Brazil’s civil aviation agency, Anac, said it was monitoring flights between Brazil and the United States. It advised passengers travelling from Brazil to the US to contact their airlines to check whether their flights had changed. Anac said airlines must promptly tell passengers about delays, cancellations or interruptions, keep them updated on expected departure times and provide free assistance at the airport according to the length of the wait.

What passengers may be offered

According to Anac guidance reported by Globo.com, passengers facing a delay of more than four hours, a cancellation or an interruption can choose among three options: free rebooking on the airline’s next available flight or another carrier, a full refund, or transport by another means. If a passenger does not want the first available flight, the guidance says they may choose a different date and time on the same airline, within the remaining validity of the ticket. Globo.com also reported that refunds should be made within seven days and that changing the travel date should not incur a charge.

A separate account of Anac guidance says airlines must provide assistance for delays exceeding two hours, including a snack and access to communication. The advice offers affected travellers steps to check their plans and understand the options described by Brazil’s regulator, while Duffy said FAA technicians were investigating the US communications failure.