Denver Airport Cancels Hundreds as Ground Stop Lifts
The FAA lifted a nationwide ground stop, but flight disruptions at Denver International Airport continued into Saturday.
Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Air Travel
Hundreds of flights at Denver International Airport were canceled after the FAA lifted a nationwide ground stop. As of 9:40 p.m., 470 flights were canceled, and 618 were delayed.
Why it matters
The cancellations left travelers in Denver and across the region facing uncertain plans, with disruptions expected to carry into Saturday. The scale of the disruption, roughly 23% of the day's total flights, shows how quickly a nationwide ground stop can ripple through a major hub.
As of 9:40 p.m., 470 flights were canceled at Denver International Airport, about 23% of the day's total, with 248 originating there. As of 9:44 p.m., 105 cancellations had been reported for Saturday, a figure likely to change.
The players
Federal Aviation Administration
The FAA is the U.S. federal agency responsible for regulating and overseeing civil aviation, including issuing ground stops that halt flights nationwide during emergencies or system disruptions.
FlightAware
FlightAware is a flight-tracking service that monitors real-time flight status, cancellations and delays across airports worldwide.
The details
The FAA lifted a nationwide ground stop, but the aftermath left flights out of Denver International Airport delayed and uncertain into Friday night and Saturday. Some travelers, including a Denver-area couple whose wedding plans in Las Vegas were disrupted, were rebooked on a later Friday night flight.
Timeline
Friday night, November 13, 2026: Flights out of Denver International Airport remained uncertain as cancellations mounted.
9:40 p.m., November 13, 2026: 470 flights at Denver International Airport were reported canceled.
9:44 p.m., November 13, 2026: 105 cancellations were reported for Saturday flights.
Roadmap
Nationwide FAA ground stops are a tool used to halt traffic during system-wide disruptions, and their aftermath often extends well beyond the moment the order is lifted. The Denver cancellations illustrate how a single lifted ground stop can leave a major hub, such as Denver International, dealing with backlogs for days.
Travelers booked through Denver International Airport should check their flight status before heading to the airport, as cancellations and delays were still changing into Saturday. Those with cancelled flights may need to rebook quickly, since rebooking options can fill up during widespread disruptions.
The takeaway
Air travelers should build flexibility into travel plans around major hubs during nationwide disruptions. Checking flight status repeatedly and keeping backup options in mind can reduce stress when ground stops and cancellations ripple through the system.
Further reading
For more on how airline disruptions affect travelers, see Air Travel coverage.
