TravelSaturday, November 14
A rare nationwide FAA ground stop grounded flights at Santa Fe Regional and the Sunport on Friday
The Today in Santa Fe team
If you had a flight out of Santa Fe Regional Airport or the Albuquerque Sunport on Friday, you weren't going anywhere for a while. The FAA issued a nationwide ground stop over communications problems at air traffic control centers, citing “due to extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety.” It was the first national ground stop since 2023.
Friday's ground stop lasted roughly four hours
- Nov. 13Last commercial passenger departure listed on the Sunport website takes off at 1:31 p.m.
- Nov. 13The FAA issues the nationwide ground stop before 2 p.m.
- Nov. 13The FAA lifts the ground stop around 6:20 p.m.
- Nov. 13Departures resume at the Sunport in the evening.
Sources: Santa Fe New Mexican, abqjournal
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the stop happened out of caution, after controllers could not communicate with pilots in the air.
- Sunport spokesperson Jonathan Small said departures resumed Friday evening
- The Sunport said to expect delays and cancellations
- Flying soon? We suggest checking your airline's app or website for your flight's status
Some travelers rebooked for Saturday morning. Joana Macklin and Olivia Robinson, headed to Nashville for Friendsgiving, switched to an early Saturday Southwest flight.
Friday's ground stop stretched travelers' day
- 14
- planes waiting at Sunport gates by early evening
- 6+ hours
- two rebooked friends spent sitting in the Sunport
- 15 hours
- for the drive to Houston one traveler weighed
Sources: KOB 4, abqjournal
Sources: Santa Fe New Mexican, KOB 4, abqjournal