The Federal Aviation Authority issued a ground stop advisory for LaGuardia Airport (LGA) on Monday, July 27, 2026. This action held all departing flights destined for LaGuardia at their origins until the ground stop was lifted, effectively halting inbound air traffic to the airport during the advisory.
Simultaneously, John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) was operating under a Traffic Management Program due to staffing shortages at air traffic control. The FAA confirmed arriving flights at JFK were delayed on average 2 hours and 29 minutes. Delta Air Lines experienced the majority of flight cancellations out of LaGuardia during the ground
stop.
Causes of Disruption
Staffing shortages at air traffic control facilities were the primary cause of the operational interruptions at both LaGuardia and JFK airports. Earlier in July 2026, weather conditions combined with air traffic control staffing limitations led to more than 500 flight cancellations and approximately 4,000 delays across the New York area. The FAA reduced flight rates into JFK, LaGuardia, Newark Liberty International Airport, and Philadelphia International Airport as a result of these constraints.
Impact on Passengers and Flights
Passengers at LaGuardia faced cancellations mostly affecting Delta Air Lines services during the ground stop. At JFK, arrivals were subject to significant delays, averaging nearly two and
a half hours. The ground stop prevented departures headed for LaGuardia from taking off until conditions permitted normal traffic flow.
The FAA issued a statement regarding the delays at JFK: “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,” underscoring the direct impact of staffing shortages on airport operations.
