The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed ground stops at LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy International airports and initiated a ground delay program at Newark Liberty International Airport on November 12, 2026. These flight restrictions started in early to mid-afternoon and were caused by thunderstorms impacting the New York metropolitan area.
FAA Flight Restrictions at New York Area Airports
A ground stop at LaGuardia Airport began at 1:27 p.m. Eastern Time, initially scheduled to end at 3:45 p.m., with a 30% to 60% probability of extension. LaGuardia also operated a ground delay program beginning at 1:00 p.m. ET and scheduled to last until 11:59 p.m. Flights arriving at LaGuardia
under this program experienced average delays of 63 minutes.
Newark Liberty International Airport enforced a ground delay program starting at 2:37 p.m., with an average flight delay of 137 minutes due to thunderstorms. John F. Kennedy International Airport implemented a ground stop at 2:49 p.m., expected to last until 3:45 p.m., with a similar 30% to 60% chance of extension as at LaGuardia.
Flight Delays and Cancellations Data
FlightAware data showed 215 delayed and 10 cancelled flights at LaGuardia as of approximately 1:31 p.m. ET. Newark recorded 131 delayed and six cancelled flights by 2:24 p.m., while JFK had 239 delayed and 24 cancelled flights
as of roughly 3:16 p.m.
The delay averages indicate that Newark experienced the most severe disruptions with flight delays more than double those at LaGuardia. These layered restrictions have compounded congestion for flights across New York’s airports.
Weather Conditions Causing Disruptions
Thunderstorms and heavy rain triggered the FAA’s decision to impose flow-control measures. The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory until 1:45 p.m. ET for Newark and surrounding areas, where heavy rain caused minor flooding in low-lying zones. The advisory did not include Queens, where LaGuardia is located.
The National Weather Service also forecast prolonged rainfall across the New York metropolitan region extending
into Friday, with possible minor coastal flooding in select locations. These conditions contributed to significant operational challenges at the airports.
Operational Impact of Flow-Control Measures
Ground stops, like those at LaGuardia and JFK, require flights destined for these airports to remain on the ground until the restriction is lifted. Ground delay programs, such as the one at Newark, meter departures to manage arrivals and maintain safe traffic flow. Both types of restrictions affect flights originating not only from local but also distant airports due to the interconnected nature of the airspace.
The simultaneous presence of both ground stops and delay programs at New York’s major
airports results in substantial challenges for airlines and business aviation operators competing for limited airspace and terminal capacity.
FAA Monitoring and Potential for Further Restrictions
The FAA continues to monitor the evolving weather system across the Northeast United States. Officials have stated that additional flight restrictions may be implemented if conditions deteriorate. The expiration times for the current ground stops at LaGuardia and JFK, scheduled for 3:45 p.m., will be closely watched for possible extensions.
