The FAA imposed a ground stop at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) starting at 9:40 a.m. local time on August 27, 2026, due to thunderstorms. The ground stop was expected to last until at least 10:00 a.m.
At the same time, LaGuardia Airport (LGA) experienced a ground delay caused by severe weather, with inbound flights facing average delays exceeding 90 minutes as of 9:40 a.m. Local disruptions at Newark and LaGuardia caused cascading effects throughout the day, resulting in average delays over one hour once the ground stop at Newark was lifted. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) also suffered
extensive disruptions despite no ground stop, registering multiple cancellations and delays.
Newark, LaGuardia, and JFK Report Delays and Cancellations
FlightAware reported that as of 9:45 a.m. EDT on August 27, there were a total of 1,522 flight delays and 172 cancellations within, into, or out of United States airspace. LaGuardia recorded 42 cancellations, representing 7% of its total scheduled flights, and 101 delays, accounting for 18%. JFK reported 19 cancellations and 48 delays during the same period.
Newark’s ground stop contributed to significant flight disruptions, while aircraft at LaGuardia faced severe weather delays averaging more than 90 minutes. JFK’s operations were heavily disrupted even without a formal ground
stop, compounding the delays within the New York City airport system.
Traveler Impact and National Airspace Disruptions
Several major airlines operating through New York City airports issued flexible travel waivers for flights scheduled on August 27, allowing passengers to change or rebook flights without incurring change fees or fare differences. These measures were in response to the widespread delays and cancellations impacting passengers.
The thunderstorm system responsible for the FAA ground stop at Newark also affected the broader national airspace on August 27, 2026, causing extensive flight delays across the United States and contributing to travel disruptions beyond the New York metropolitan region.
