More than 100 departing flights were cancelled Tuesday morning, July 21, 2026, at Newark Liberty International Airport after severe thunderstorms swept across North Jersey and the Northeast United States. Flight delays and gate holds disrupted hundreds of travelers across the New York metropolitan area.
Severe Weather and FAA Ground Operation Halts
A stalled weather system produced heavy rain and frequent lightning, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to halt ground operations Monday night. The lightning rendered it unsafe for ramp personnel to work outdoors, preventing aircraft from departing or parking at gates. This led to arriving flights waiting on the tarmac while departures were delayed.
Passenger Delays and Network-Wide Impact
Some passengers
remained aboard aircraft for over seven hours due to the backlog. The disruption spread through the national air traffic network, causing delays across the Northeast and Midwest airspace regions. The cascading effects resulted in widespread delays and cancellations beyond Newark Airport.
Airline Responses and Ongoing Monitoring
Major airlines including United Airlines, JetBlue, and American Airlines issued travel waivers, allowing eligible customers to rebook flights without change fees. Under U.S. Department of Transportation regulations, passengers whose flights are cancelled are entitled to full cash refunds if they choose not to travel. The FAA and airlines continue to monitor weather and traffic conditions as operations gradually return
to normal.
