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Travelers stranded at Memphis airport as FAA grounds all flights nationwide

By , Daily Memphian Updated: November 13, 2026 6:33 PM CT | Published: November 13, 2026 6:12 PM CT

When Chintan Pamnani arrived at Frederick W. Smith International Airport on Friday, Nov. 13, he was already dealing with travel headaches.

Pamnani, 27, of Southaven, was scheduled to fly from Memphis to Newark on Thursday, Nov. 12. Then his flight was canceled.

Then he and everyone nationwide trying to fly was hit with another unpleasant surprise Friday — the Federal Aviation Administration chose to ground all flights in the United States due to a “telecommunications outage.”

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Frederick W. Smith International Airport Federal Aviation Administration Subscriber Only

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Steve Bohnel

Steve Bohnel

Steve Bohnel is a Temple University graduate, originally from Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He’s worked at news organizations in Iowa, Maryland and Pittsburgh, covering local and state politics. He covers health care, transportation and logistics, manufacturing, and technology. He is an avid traveler, an Everton F.C. and Philadelphia sports fan, and likes collecting records and biking around town.


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