The FAA initiated a ground stop at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) starting at 9:40 a.m. local time on August 27, 2026, due to severe thunderstorms. The ground stop at Newark is expected to continue through at least 10:00 a.m., causing cascading delays that include flights experiencing delays of over an hour once departures resume.
Delays and Cancellations at LaGuardia Airport
Simultaneously, LaGuardia Airport (LGA) was placed under a ground delay caused by the same storm system. Flights arriving at LaGuardia faced average delays exceeding 90 minutes at 9:40 a.m. that day. LaGuardia recorded 42 cancellations, representing 7% of scheduled flights, and 101 delays, accounting for
18% of its flights on the morning of August 27, 2026.
Flight Disruptions at JFK Despite No Ground Stop
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) reported substantial disruptions even though no ground stop was enforced. On August 27, 2026, JFK had 19 flight cancellations and 48 delays, contributing to significant operational challenges amid the thunderstorm impact on New York City area airports.
FlightAware data from 9:45 a.m. EDT showed the storm caused widespread disruptions across the U.S., with 1,522 total flight delays and 172 cancellations within, arriving into, or departing from the national airspace on August 27, 2026.
Several major airlines serving the New York City region implemented
flexible travel waivers for flights scheduled that day. These waivers allowed passengers to modify or rebook their travel without incurring change fees or fare differences due to the severe weather and its effects on flights at Newark, LaGuardia, and JFK airports.
