The United States Federal Aviation Administration issued a nationwide ground stop today, November 13, 2026, following reported communications issues affecting multiple air traffic control centers. According to the FAA statement reported by CNBC, departing traffic was halted while technicians investigated the issue. Flights already airborne were permitted to continue, and inbound international flights were being managed on a case-by-case basis.
For businesses that depend on timely transportation, the immediate concern is moving people and goods safely. Several questions follow: Which customer commitments are affected? What alternatives are available? Who bears the additional costs? And what steps should businesses take now to protect their contractual rights?
The full extent of the disruption and its downstream effects remains uncertain. However, businesses should expect disruption and assess their exposure now, rather than waiting for delayed shipments or missed deliveries to become disputes.
Ripple Effects May Reach Beyond Air Freight
Delayed flights are the most visible consequence of a ground stop, but the business impact may reach further. Depending on the duration of the disruption and the shipments affected, businesses could face numerous disruptions.
Recovery may also take longer than the ground stop itself. As delays accumulate, flight crews may reach their duty-time limits, which can create further scheduling challenges even after departures resume.
Business Considerations When a Government Order is Involved
A government-ordered ground stop does not automatically excuse every late delivery or missed commitment. Whether a party is entitled to additional time or other relief depends on the language of its contract and on how the disruption affected its ability to perform. The availability of another carrier, route, or mode of transportation may also be relevant.
Businesses should review their supply chain commitments with a few practical questions in mind:
- What is at risk? Identify delivery deadlines, production needs, and customer commitments that could be affected.
- What does the contract say? Check provisions addressing government orders, transportation disruptions, notice requirements, cancellation rights, and additional charges.
- What alternatives are available? Consider whether another carrier, route, or transportation method could help, and agree on who will authorize and pay for the change.
The relief available under a carrier or supplier agreement may not match the obligations a business owes its own customers. For retailers, an order that has not yet shipped may raise different notice, cancellation, and refund obligations than a package already in transit. Moreover, changing transportation plans does not mean other rules are suspended. Trucking safety requirements, hazardous-material rules, and applicable customs approvals still need attention.
How Husch Blackwell Can Help
Husch Blackwell's Transportation and Supply Chain Logistics team is monitoring the disruption, the government’s response, and related federal regulatory developments.
We can help clients understand their contractual rights and obligations, respond to delivery problems, evaluate claims, and assess alternative arrangements. Our goal is to help businesses manage immediate challenges while protecting customer relationships and keeping goods moving.
If your business is affected, contact your Husch Blackwell attorney or a member of our Transportation and Supply Chain Logistics team.
This article provides general legal information. It does not constitute legal advice to the reader and does not create an attorney-client relationship between the reader and Husch Blackwell LLP. The reader should seek legal advice if they have questions about how this legal information may apply to their own circumstances.