Two American Airlines Flights Grounded in Antigua as U.S. Air Traffic Disruption Extends to Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands
Two U.S.-bound flights are being held at V.C. Bird International Airport until further notice after an air traffic control communications failure triggered a nationwide U.S. ground stop.
Two American Airlines flights are being held at V.C. Bird International Airport until further notice after a communications failure prompted U.S. aviation authorities to halt departures nationwide, disrupting travel between Antigua and the United States.
The disruption also extends to airspace over Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to information received by Antigua.news.
The two American Airlines flights in Antigua were awaiting clearance to depart, with no revised departure times available at the time of reporting.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issued the ground stop on Friday afternoon, citing extraordinary circumstances and safety concerns. U.S.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the communications problem affected all 22 regional air traffic control centres responsible for directing aircraft between airports. FAA technicians were investigating the failure.
The FAA said aircraft already in the air could still land and that international flights would be handled on a case-by-case basis. That means departure times for U.S.-bound flights from the Caribbean may vary by flight.
The disruption marks the first nationwide U.S. ground stop since January 2023. No timetable for lifting Friday’s order had been confirmed at the time of reporting. Passengers travelling from Antigua are advised to check directly with their airline for flight updates.
This story was first published by Antigua News on : antigua.news/2026/11/13/two-american-airlines-flights-grounded-in-antigua-as-u-s-air-traffic-disruption-extends-to-puerto-rico-and-u-s-virgin. © 2026 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.
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