The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed a ground stop at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) on August 27, 2026, starting at 9:40 a.m. local time due to thunderstorms. The ground stop was expected to last at least until 10:00 a.m., resulting in significant disruptions. Flights arriving at Newark were halted, while LaGuardia Airport (LGA) operated under ground delay conditions with average arrival delays exceeding 90 minutes as of 9:40 a.m.
According to FlightAware data recorded at 9:45 a.m. EDT, disruptions extended beyond the New York City area, with 1,522 flight delays and 172 cancellations across the United States. LaGuardia Airport
registered 42 cancellations, accounting for 7% of scheduled flights, and 101 delays, representing 18% of arrivals. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) experienced 19 cancellations and 48 delays despite the absence of a ground stop.
Impact on Travelers and Airline Waivers
Travelers at Newark, LaGuardia, and JFK airports faced extensive delays and cancellations on August 27. In response to the weather-related disruptions, several major airlines serving New York issued flexible travel waivers allowing passengers to change or rebook flights without additional fees for that day.
Thunderstorms Cause Cascading Delays Across New York Area Airports
The thunderstorms triggered the FAA ground stop at Newark and ground delays at LaGuardia, creating a ripple effect that compounded flight
disruptions across New York City’s airport network. Although JFK did not have a ground stop, it still reported multiple cancellations and delays linked to the severe weather conditions affecting the region.
These weather-related ground stops and delays contributed to Newark and LaGuardia ranking among the most disrupted airports globally on the morning of August 27. The cascading delays were expected to extend throughout the day, with average flight delays likely to exceed one hour once operations resumed normally.
