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Two US Airports Lost Air Traffic Links to a Cut Cable in Two Days, Here’s What Your Airline Owes You

Contractors cut fiber lines at Raleigh-Durham on 12 October and Houston on 13 October. Here is what US rules say about refunds, rebooking and delay pay.

KCBy Kevin Crow · Oct 15, 2026 · 4 min read · ▶ Web Story

Two US Airports Lost Air Traffic Links to a Cut Cable in Two Days, Here’s What Your Airline Owes You

At a glance

PublishedOct 15, 2026
TopicFlights & Access
Verified againstAVweb
Treks coveredEverest Base Camp Trek — 14 Days

Contractors cut fiber-optic lines at two US airports on consecutive days, and the FAA held flights on the ground both times. If your flight was cancelled or badly delayed, US rules entitle you to a refund when you decline the alternative. They do not entitle you to cash compensation for a delay you fly through.

Pensive female designer in checkered jacket waiting for flight near departure board looking away in modern airport in evening

Key facts

Raleigh-Durham (RDU), Mon 12 Oct: a contractor doing plumbing work severed a fiber line near the FAA tower, and the FAA cited “loss of comms and automation.”
Houston Bush (IAH), Tue 13 Oct: a construction contractor damaged a fiber line and the FAA stopped flights bound for IAH.
Refund line: a delay of 3+ hours (domestic) or 6+ hours (international) lets you refuse the new flight and take your money back.
Cash compensation for a delay you fly through: none under US federal rules.

What happened at Raleigh-Durham on 12 October

RDU lost communications and automation on Monday after a contractor cut a fiber line near the tower. AvWeb reported ABC11 counts of 212 delayed flights and nine cancellations by the afternoon, with average arrival delays above two hours and arrivals restricted to as few as 10 an hour at times. The FAA said repairs were “taking longer than expected” and reissued a ground stop. One aviation outlet put the all-clear at 8:48 p.m. Eastern, but delay and cancellation counts differ by source, so treat them as estimates.

A bright, spacious airport terminal featuring expansive glass walls, escalators, and American flag.

What happened at Houston Bush on 13 October

Houston lost “major communications” on Tuesday evening, according to the FAA advisory. A ground stop on inbound flights began at about 5:25 p.m. and was lifted shortly after 8 p.m., and Houston Airports said operations were returning to normal around 9:20 p.m. International arrivals faced longer Customs waits until about 8 p.m. The FAA said nearby Hobby Airport was not affected. Repairs finished overnight and the airport reported no impact on Wednesday morning.

A small airport utility vehicle on a rainy tarmac, highlighting ground support operations.

The two cable-cut outages
Airport	Date	Cause	Effect
Raleigh-Durham	Mon 12 Oct	Contractor cut fiber near tower	Repeated ground stops, arrivals capped, 2h+ delays
Houston Bush	Tue 13 Oct	Contractor damaged fiber line	Inbound ground stop about 5:25 to 8 p.m., Customs delays

What a US airline owes you when the FAA stops flights

You are owed a refund if the airline cancels or significantly changes your flight and you decline the alternative. Federal rules (14 CFR 260.2) count a domestic flight as significantly delayed or changed when it departs or arrives at least 3 hours off schedule, and an international one at 6 hours. The DOT refund rule in force since October 2024 requires the money back to your original payment method, not a voucher unless you choose one. Reported deadlines are 7 business days for credit cards and 20 calendar days for other payment methods.

A contemporary airport boarding counter with glass dividers and computers, ready for passengers.

You are not owed cash for a delay you simply sit through, whatever caused it. Hotels and meals are also not set by federal law, so what you get depends on your airline’s own customer service commitments.

What this means for you

Do not accept a rebooking you cannot use just because the app offers it. Ask for the refund in writing, and keep receipts if you paid for a hotel or meal. Fiber cuts are outside an airline’s control, so expect a refund and a rebooking, not extra cash. See our flight rights guide, the rules on rebooking on another airline and the tarmac delay rule for what applies if you were stuck on a plane.

How to protect the next connection

If you are flying through a US hub this week, leave a connection of at least two hours and check your flight status the evening before. Ground stops hit inbound flights first, so a delay at the other end can strand you before you ever reach the airport. A travel insurance policy that lists “air traffic control” or “equipment failure” delay cover is worth checking before you buy, because wording differs by insurer. If your trip ends in Nepal, a missed long-haul connection can cost a Lukla flight slot too; our 14-day Everest Base Camp trek builds in buffer days for that reason.

A modern jet airplane docked at an airport terminal gate, ready for boarding on a cloudy day.

Frequently asked questions

Can I claim compensation for a ground stop delay?

No. US federal rules require a refund for cancellations and significant changes, but not cash compensation for a delay.

Does the refund apply if I chose to cancel myself?

The automatic refund applies when the airline cancels or significantly changes the flight and you decline the alternative. A voluntary cancellation follows your fare rules.

Cover photo: Magda Ehlers via Pexels (Pexels License). Section photos: Gustavo Fring via Pexels (Pexels licence); Ian Porce via Pexels (Pexels licence); Ariel Hernandez via Pexels (Pexels licence); Braeson Holland via Pexels (Pexels licence); K via Pexels (Pexels licence).