Update: Flights within Alaska unaffected by FAA ground stop; Lower 48 connections disrupted

THE ALASKA STORY

Nov. 13, 2026 — Flights operating entirely within Alaska remain unaffected by the FAA’s nationwide ground stop, according to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, an important distinction for a state where aviation provides essential connections to communities beyond the road system.

The airport reported that the restrictions affect flights entering or leaving Alaska, while in-state flying, including private aircraft operations, can continue.

Breaking: FAA orders rare nationwide ground stop, disrupting Alaska air travel

The current ground stop is said to be caused by communications issues amongst the nations 22 main Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC). Those Centers typically manage IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) traffic above 10,000 feet.

High altitude flights to the lower 48 must be “handed off” from Anchorage Center to an adjacent control facility (like Seattle or Los Angeles). The current communications breakdown makes that handoff impossible; hence the ground stop.

High altitude flights within Alaska never get handed of to another ARTCC, so they should be largely unaffected.

Inbound, “heavy” aircraft arriving from Asia will usually interact only with Anchorage Center so, again, they should be largely unaffected.

Low-altitude VFR flights (typically smaller propeller-driven aircraft below 10,000 feet) typically wouldn’t interact with Anchorage Center at all so they should also be unaffected.

Alaska depends on aircraft for medical evacuations, emergency response, deliveries, and transportation between remote communities. Individual operations remain subject to weather, aircraft availability, and other normal operating requirements.

Alaska Airlines also confirmed that its flights within Alaska were not impacted by the nationwide grounding. Its neighbor-island flights in Hawaii were likewise unaffected.

For Alaskans traveling to or from the Lower 48, however, the disruption continued Friday afternoon. As of approximately 3:25 pm Alaska time, reports indicated the nationwide ground stop remained in effect, with no firm timetable for a full restoration of service.

The FAA issued the order at approximately 11:54 am Alaska time after a telecommunications problem disrupted communications at air traffic control centers that manage aircraft between airports. The agency cited “extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety” in ordering the stop.

A ground stop holds affected aircraft before departure. Aircraft already airborne were allowed to continue toward their destinations, although individual flights could encounter holding or diversions.

An airport can remain open while some departures are held. An Anchorage-to-Fairbanks flight can operate even as an Anchorage-to-Seattle departure faces restrictions.

The precise cause of the communications failure remained under investigation. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said there was no indication at that point of a malicious attack, describing the problem as a telecommunications outage.

Even after restrictions ease, passengers could face additional delays as airlines reposition aircraft and crews and work through the backlog. Early indications point to the situation being resolved after 11 pm Eastern Time.

This story is developing.

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