Airport ground stops hit NYC as weather cancels hundreds
Airport ground stops briefly halted departures at New York's three major airports Tuesday morning as storms triggered hundreds of cancellations, after similar FAA restrictions Monday tied to air traffic staffing shortages. By midmorning the stops were lifted, but delays lingered at JFK and Newark as a Flood Watch remained in effect.
Key Takeaways
- The FAA issued airport ground stops at LaGuardia, JFK, and Newark shortly before 8 a.m. Tuesday amid heavy rain and thunderstorms.
- Those ground stops were lifted by 10:30 a.m., yet JFK and Newark still reported ongoing delays.
- The FAA tallied more than 900 cancellations across the three airports during the morning rush.
- Monday's airport ground stops were driven by staffing shortages at the New York-area air traffic control center, not weather.
- A Flood Watch for all five boroughs remains in effect through Wednesday evening, so conditions may keep shifting.
Why were airport ground stops issued at NYC airports?
According to Spectrum News NY1, hundreds of flights were canceled across the New York City area Tuesday morning as the region braced for rounds of heavy rain and thunderstorms.
The Federal Aviation Administration placed airport ground stops on LaGuardia, John F. Kennedy International, and Newark shortly before 8 a.m. A ground stop temporarily keeps flights from departing into congested or constrained airspace, cutting traffic until conditions improve.
By 10:30 a.m., the FAA had lifted the stops. JFK and Newark continued to see delays afterward, underscoring how weather can keep rippling through schedules even after the formal restriction ends.
How many flights were canceled and delayed?
The FAA reported over 900 cancellations at the airports during the morning rush. As of about 10 a.m., NY1 cited these figures:
- LaGuardia: 110 delays and 339 cancellations
- JFK: 113 delays and 408 cancellations
- Newark: 130 delays and 169 cancellations
As of 10:45 a.m., Newark departure delays averaged up to 69 minutes, with inbound flights delayed at their origins by an average of 78 minutes. JFK departure delays averaged up to about 30 minutes and were decreasing, the FAA said.
Air travel officials warned that conditions may change throughout the day as storms continue to develop. The disruptions arrive while a Flood Watch covers all five boroughs through Wednesday evening.
Did staffing shortages also trigger airport ground stops?
Yes—on Monday, the FAA issued airport ground stops at the same three airports because of staffing shortages at the New York-area air traffic control center. Those stops temporarily prevented some departures to reduce congestion in the air.
Forbes reported Monday that average ground delays exceeded an hour at all three airports, with JFK posting the longest average ground delay at 149 minutes. LaGuardia departure delays averaged about 120 minutes, and Newark travelers faced average departure waits of about 135 minutes.
Forbes also noted the FAA previously extended flight limits at New York's major airports amid a prolonged controller shortage, and that New York Area Terminal Radar Approach was at only 57% of its targeted staffing level. For more travel and infrastructure coverage, see our Future Tech & AI Wonders hub.
What should travelers do next?
Check your airline app and airport advisories before heading out, since storm timing and residual delay programs can shift hour by hour. If your flight was canceled Tuesday, rebooking options may remain tight while the Flood Watch stays active and while staffing pressure continues to constrain New York airspace capacity.
Passengers flying into or out of Newark, JFK, or LaGuardia should also watch for cascading delays from earlier morning cancellations, even after airport ground stops are no longer in effect.