The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a ground stop for flights scheduled to arrive at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) on Sunday, September 13, 2026, starting at 8:18 a.m. and lasting until 12:15 p.m. The stoppage was enacted due to thunderstorm activity impacting the New York region.
Flight Delays Continue After Ground Stop Lifted
Following the lifting of the ground stop at 12:15 p.m., departing flights from JFK continued to experience delays. As of 3:30 p.m., average departure delays at the airport were recorded at 15 minutes. The FAA attributed these delays to weather-related traffic management efforts designed to safely handle the disrupted air traffic flow.
Weather Impact on New York Metropolitan Area
The thunderstorms that triggered the FAA’s ground stop produced heavy rain and flooding across multiple parts of the New York metropolitan area on Sunday morning. These conditions disrupted ground transportation and contributed to broader travel impacts beyond the airport. The weather challenges required airline and FAA coordination to manage traffic safely during the event.
