The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented a ground stop for all flights destined for John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) on Sunday, September 13, 2026. The halt in departures lasted from 8:18 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. as severe thunderstorms affected the New York metropolitan area.
The ground stop was lifted shortly after 12:15 p.m. At 3:30 p.m., the FAA reported that departing flights at JFK were experiencing average delays of 15 minutes. These delays persisted due to ongoing weather-related air traffic control measures.
Weather Impact on New York Region
Heavy thunderstorms and rainfall Sunday morning triggered flooding and disrupted travel throughout the New York metropolitan area.
The adverse weather conditions forced the FAA to manage air traffic more conservatively, leading to the temporary freezing of flight departures at JFK.
Passenger Delays Linked to Traffic Management
Passengers departing from JFK experienced flight delays stemming directly from the FAA’s weather-related traffic management initiatives. The thunderstorms responsible for the ground stop affected traffic flow and prompted the FAA to prioritize safety in scheduling departures.
