FAA issues nationwide ground stop, halting flights across US
FOX Business correspondent Grady Trimble provides a firsthand account of the nationwide FAA ground stop while stranded aboard a plane at Chicago O’hare International Airport. Trimble describes the situation on the tarmac as flights are halted across the country, raising concerns about widespread travel disruptions and delays.
The FAA ground stop that was issued on Friday afternoon is obviously having an effect on travel across the country, but it’s also having a major impact on college football teams scheduled to play on Saturday.
The second nationwide ground stop since 9/11 could disrupt travel over the next few days as passengers wait for the FAA to allow flights to resume ahead of a busy travel weekend.
But concern is growing across college athletics for teams that have yet to depart for Saturday’s games.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian of the Texas Longhorns watches action during a game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Cotton Bowl on October 10, 2026, in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
8:33 PM ET Update: It was announced by Transportation secretary Sean Duffy that the FAA’s nationwide ground stop was lifted, and flights were going to resume. Obviously, this will not be an easy process, and college football teams will not jump the line in getting off the ground.
But, this does make it easier that it’s lifted earlier in the evening on Friday, which does give teams time to at least get to their away game destinations at a reasonable time, compared to what some had thought.
As of 9:12 p.m. ET Friday night, Washington, Texas, Tennessee and Oregon State are heading to the airport to get back on a plane, so each school can get to their destination ahead of Saturday’s kickoff at each away game.
Others who were grounded could make the last minute decision to fly, if their charter flights have a crew prepared to carry them to each destination. Multiple Big 12 schools are still planning on flying Saturday, though the situation remains fluid.
11:00 PM ET UPDATE: Late Friday night, No. 2 Utah was planning on flying to Tuscon for its game against No. 22 Arizona, but the airline that was being chartered informed Utes’ officials that their flight crew had run out of hours.
Now, Utah will fly out on Saturday morning, with the Big 12 also rescheduling their game for 10:30 p.m. ET tomorrow night.
Also, in the SEC, Ole Miss and Oklahoma have been negotiating a potential time change to their kickoff that was scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday afternoon. The Rebels did not leave Ofxford on Friday evening, and will travel tomorrow morning.
A final decision on the SEC showdown will be made Friday, at some point.
UPDATE: According to multiple sources, some of those schools who are currently looking for alternative travel include Texas, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Washington, Minnesota, Baylor, TulaneAuburn, Arizona State, Oregon State and others.
Some teams sat on their chartered airplanes for upwards of two hours, while others were sitting around the airport waiting for FAA guidance. Multiple teams, like Ole Miss, Tennessee and Baylor, returned to their athletic buildings while school officials are trying to figure out what this could look like if they were to arrive on the same day as their scheduled game.
No. 2 Utah will not be traveling to Arizona on Friday, as of the evening. The Utes will are now scheduled to fly on Saturday morning for its showdown with the Wildcats.
Arizona State, who is scheduled to play the University of Central Florida, could depart Sky Harbor Airport on Saturday morning for their flight to Orlando, if nothing changes within the next few hours.
Both teams, as of now, are scheduled to play at 3:30 p.m. ET, which would mean the Sun Devils would fly four hours and then play that same day.
The Big 12 provided this statement to OutKick on Friday evening about potentially moving around time slots.
“Due to the national FAA ground stop impacting team travel, the Big 12 Conference is evaluating potential changes to Saturday’s football schedule. The conference will continue to monitor the travel disruptions alongside its member institutions and provide updates for Saturday’s games.”
USC has already taken off for their trip to Bloomington for a showdown with Indiana, and is scheduled to land Friday evening.
A general view of Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, on November 13, 2026, as passengers face delays and strandings after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a nationwide ground stop for all flights. ((Photo by Peter Zay/Anadolu via Getty Images))
For instance, Texas was scheduled to depart Austin and had already boarded its plane for Baton Rouge ahead of Saturday’s showdown against LSUbut the FAA had issued the ground stop before they had taken off for Louisiana.
In the case of a school like Tennessee, the Vols were scheduled to depart McGee Tyson Airport in Knoxville at 4 p.m. ET, but the FAA notice was issued, and the team was not able to get into the air. How they end up getting to College Station is still to be determined at this moment, though the situation remains fluid.
The SEC said on Friday that the conference is monitoring the situation and assessing “appropriate responses” if needed for disruptions.
Other schools across the country were lucky under the circumstances, and had already departed for their road game destination.
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Some schools also had the luxury to take buses to their game, like Alabama traveling to Nashville for its game against Vanderbilt.
This could turn out to be the case for a team like Auburn, who is scheduled to play Mississippi State on Saturday in Starkville.
But, for No. 2 Utah, the Utes were grounded in Salt Lake City before they were scheduled to take off for their matchup with Arizona on Saturday night.
Schools typically travel on Friday afternoons for Saturday games, usually holding a walkthrough at their facility before heading straight to the airport for departure.
Tennessee Volunteers running back Daune Morris (17) runs against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second half at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Oct. 17, 2026. (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Also, most schools will have security checkpoints actually set up at their facilities, so they can just get off the bus and board the airplane that is taking them to their destination.
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This is a developing story, and we will continue to provide more updates here at OutKick and Fox News.
Source: www.foxnews.com
