Incheon-US Flights Delayed Amid FAA Ground Stop
A nationwide US ground stop over air traffic control communications problems has pushed back departures from South Korea's main airport.
Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Air Travel
Flights departing Incheon International Airport for New York, Atlanta and Boston were delayed about two hours as of 10 a.m. Saturday, following a nationwide ground stop ordered by the FAA on Friday over air traffic control communications problems.
Why it matters
The outage affected 22 regional air traffic control centers that direct aircraft between airports nationwide, and it disrupted international travelers connecting through the United States. Airlines delayed US-bound departures at the request of American authorities while the cause remained under review.
Operational records show 32 passenger flights and 52 total flights were scheduled from Incheon to the United States on Saturday, with about two-hour delays reported as of 10 a.m. The number of flights ultimately affected once operations normalize has not been confirmed.
The players
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
The FAA is the US federal agency responsible for regulating and overseeing civil aviation, including the national air traffic control system.
Markwayne Mullin
Markwayne Mullin is the US Homeland Security Secretary, a Cabinet-level official overseeing the department responsible for national security and border protection.
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is South Korea's national government body that oversees transportation, aviation and infrastructure policy.
Incheon International Airport
Incheon International Airport is South Korea's main international gateway, located near Seoul and one of the busiest airports in Asia.
The details
The FAA ordered the nationwide ground stop on Friday after communications problems affected air traffic control operations across the country. US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin ruled out an immediate indication of malicious activity, describing the disruption as a telecommunications outage. South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said airlines delayed departures after a request from American authorities.
Timeline
January 2023: A prior FAA computer system malfunction caused an earlier nationwide ground stop.
Friday, November 13, 2026: The FAA ordered the nationwide ground stop.
Saturday, November 14, 2026, 10 a.m.: Incheon-US flights were reported delayed about two hours.
Travel Outlook
This nationwide US ground stop is only the second since the September 11, 2001 attacks and the first since the FAA computer system malfunction in January 2023. Its repetition shows how dependence on aging air traffic control communications can ripple into international departures from airports such as Incheon.
Travelers booked on US-bound flights from Incheon should check with their airline for updated departure times before heading to the airport. Allow extra time at check-in, since delays can compound during the morning as airlines work through backlogs.
The takeaway
Air travel delays tied to national system outages can extend far beyond the country where the disruption starts. Checking flight status directly with your airline before departure is the most practical step for affected travelers.
Further reading
For more on how disruptions like this affect passengers, see our Air Travel coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Korea Herald.
