Ground stops were activated at Chicago O’Hare International Airport just before noon on August 9, 2026, lasting until shortly after 3 p.m. Severe weather in the Chicago area prompted the FAA to enforce these measures, which were also implemented at Chicago Midway International Airport from just before 1 p.m. through 3:45 p.m.
Flights destined for Chicago were held at their departure points throughout the ground stop periods. In addition, departures at O’Hare experienced delays both during and after the ground stop. Following the removal of the ground stop, average ground delays at O’Hare climbed to approximately 100 minutes according to
FAA data.
The enforced ground stops and associated delays resulted in flight cancellations and extended wait times for travelers. Passengers departing from or arriving to Chicago airports on August 9 faced disruptions stemming from flights held at their origins and slowed departures at O’Hare International Airport.
The FAA utilizes ground stops as a safety protocol to manage air traffic flow during severe weather events. On August 9, this procedure was applied at both Chicago airports to maintain safe operations amid adverse weather conditions.
