The Federal Aviation Authority issued a ground stop advisory at LaGuardia Airport on Monday, July 27, 2026, halting departures until the stop is lifted. Delta Air Lines experienced the highest number of cancellations at LaGuardia on that day.
Staffing Shortages Cause Delays at JFK
At John F. Kennedy International Airport, a Traffic Management Program was implemented due to air traffic control staffing shortages. The FAA reported that arriving flights at JFK faced an average delay of 2 hours and 29 minutes. This program restricts the flow of inbound traffic to manage operational capacity under current staffing limitations.
Background on Earlier Disruptions in New York Area
Earlier in July 2026, over 500 flights were canceled
and approximately 4,000 delayed across New York area airports due to a combination of weather conditions and air traffic control staffing constraints. The FAA reduced flight rates into JFK, LaGuardia, Newark Liberty International Airport, and Philadelphia International Airport during that period.
Travelers aiming to fly to LaGuardia should expect departures to be held at origins until the ground stop ends, while passengers arriving at JFK should anticipate delays exceeding two hours. The FAA stated, “Due to STAFFING / STAFFING, there is a Traffic Management Program in effect for traffic arriving at John F Kennedy International Airport, New York, NY (JFK).
This is causing some arriving flights to be delayed an average of 2 hours and 29 minutes.”
