Are the Microsoft Outlook outage and FAA ground stop connected?

Are the Microsoft Outlook outage and FAA ground stop connected? Advertisement Updated: 8:45 PM EST Nov 13, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ Matt Cudahy Digital Curator Are the Microsoft Outlook outage and FAA ground stop connected? Updated: 8:45 PM EST Nov 13, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ Matt Cudahy Digital Curator The Federal Aviation Administration on Friday issued a rare nationwide ground stop due to "extraordinary circumstances" caused by communications problems at regional air traffic control centers. It's the second time since Sept. 11, 2001, that the FAA has issued such an order. The last was January 2023, when a key FAA computer system malfunctioned. Advertisement The world-stopping news comes just a day after a massive Microsoft outage left thousands of users without access to Outlook, the company's email platform. According to Downdetector, reports peaked at 130,000 users impacted, though other estimates say it was closer to millions. FAA lifts ground stop after hours of halting flights nationwide due to communications error These two events, both stemming from apparently complicated technological issues, happening so close to each other have left many wondering whether they are connected. However, Microsoft and the federal government have denied any connection. Hours after the ground stop was put in place, Microsoft released a statement on social media. "We have no indication that the FAA’s nationwide ground stop is related to any Microsoft services," the company wrote. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin also rejected the link. Responding to questions Friday afternoon outside the White House, Mullin said they are "separate issues," and that he didn't see “any reason to connect those two at all.” Nationwide flight grounding disrupts football games this weekend Weather radars are not down, National Weather Service says Make WTAE a preferred source on Google Add Preferred Source Share Infinite Scroll Enabled Top Picks How long is the nationwide ground stop going to last? FAA lifts ground stop after hours of halting flights nationwide due to communications error QUIZ: This week in national news New Orleans cruise ship collision: All accounted for, 32 hospitalized