# Work to replace old copper wire led to the FAA’s ground stop

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7 outlets covering · First listed: The Verge, Nov 14, 2026, 11:44 AM · Read it: <https://www.theverge.com/transportation/1033898/faa-ground-stop-sean-duffy-faa-copper-wire>

At a press conference today, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that Friday's nationwide ground stop ordered by the FAA was related to work replacing outdated copper wire with a fiber optic line at a "remote FAA facility." The secretary said that this was "routine maintenance," rather than the result of a major modernization effort. He

## Who's covering it

In the order they published:

- Nov 13, 2026, 3:23 PM: [FAA orders nationwide ground stop](<https://thehill.com/policy/transportation/6219722-faa-issues-us-flight-ground-stop/>) — The Hill (Newspaper, United States, rated Center)
  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a nationwide ground stop for all U.S. flights, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed Friday. “The @FAANews \[FAA\] issued a nationwide ground stop for all U.S. airports following a communication issue impacting all Air Route Traffic Control Centers,” Duffy wrote on the social platform X. “FAA technicians are investigating the…
- Nov 13, 2026, 4:41 PM: [FAA ground stop updates: Heres what we know](<https://mashable.com/tech/faa-ground-stop-updates-what-we-know>) — Mashable (Digital news, United States)
  Here's what we know about the unexpected nationwide ground stoppage ordered by the FAA on Friday.
- Nov 13, 2026, 4:42 PM: [All US flights grounded by FAA](<https://www.theregister.com/offbeat/2026/11/13/all-us-flights-grounded-by-faa/5309912>) — The Register (Digital news, United Kingdom)
  Safety reasons and unspecified communications issue cited
- Nov 13, 2026, 4:54 PM: [A Nationwide Ground Stop](<https://www.nytimes.com/2026/11/13/briefing/a-nationwide-ground-stop.html>) — New York Times (Newspaper, United States, rated Lean left)
  Also, Russia lays out its hard-line demands. Here’s the latest at the end of Friday.
- Nov 13, 2026, 7:46 PM: [The FAA Nationwide Ground Stop Is Over](<https://www.wired.com/story/the-faa-nationwide-ground-stop-is-over/>) — Wired (Magazine, United States)
  The five-hour ordeal ended Friday evening. Planes will be allowed to fly again, but the effects of the stoppage will be felt throughout the weekend.
- Nov 14, 2026, 11:44 AM: [Work to replace old copper wire led to the FAA’s ground stop](<https://www.theverge.com/transportation/1033898/faa-ground-stop-sean-duffy-faa-copper-wire>) — The Verge (Digital news, United States)
  At a press conference today, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that Friday's nationwide ground stop ordered by the FAA was related to work replacing outdated copper wire with a fiber optic line at a "remote FAA facility." The secretary said that this was "routine maintenance," rather than the result of a major modernization effort. He
- Nov 14, 2026, 7:13 PM: [FAA ground stop disrupts college football](<https://www.npr.org/2026/11/14/nx-s1-6041115/faa-ground-stop-college-football-delays>) — NPR (Public broadcaster, United States, rated Lean left)
  Some college football games were delayed a few hours on Saturday or postponed to Sunday. And in Oklahoma at least, there will be perks for fans to make up for the inconvenience, including cheap beers.
