The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed ground stops at LaGuardia Airport starting at 1:27 p.m. ET and at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) beginning at 2:49 p.m. ET on November 12, 2026, due to thunderstorms in the New York metropolitan area. Both ground stops were initially expected to end around 3:45 p.m. ET, with a 30% to 60% chance of extensions. Meanwhile, Newark Liberty International Airport enacted a ground delay program at 2:37 p.m. ET to manage traffic amid the same weather system.
Flight Delays and Cancellations at New York Area Airports
FlightAware data revealed significant operational disruptions at the three airports on November 12. LaGuardia reported 215
flight delays and 10 cancellations as of 1:31 p.m. ET, with average arrival delays of 63 minutes during its ground delay program running from 1 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. ET. Newark experienced 131 delays and 6 cancellations by 2:24 p.m. ET, with average arrival delays reaching 137 minutes under its ground delay program. JFK faced 239 delays and 24 cancellations as of 3:16 p.m. ET during its ground stop period.
Weather Conditions Driving Flight Restrictions
The disruptions were a result of a coastal storm causing heavy rain and thunderstorms across the New York metropolitan area on November 12. A flood advisory was in effect until
1:45 p.m. ET for Newark and surrounding regions due to heavy rainfall and minor flooding. Thunderstorms also prompted a tornado warning near JFK Airport in Queens. Forecasts indicated the rainfall and storm conditions would continue into November 13, with potential for minor coastal flooding in the area.
Operational Impact on Flights and Passengers
The FAA’s ground stops held affected flights on the ground at their origin airports until restrictions were lifted. Ground delay programs at LaGuardia and Newark metered departures to control arrival flow. These measures resulted in prolonged delays, with Newark flights experiencing more than twice the average arrival delay compared to LaGuardia. Newark’s ground
stop was briefly lifted but reissued through at least 4:30 p.m. ET on the same day.
Passengers faced significant delays and cancellations across these airports on November 12. The FAA continues to monitor the conditions and may impose additional air traffic restrictions as the storm system moves through the Northeast.
Impact on National Airspace and Business Aviation
New York’s congested airspace compounded by layered restrictions at LaGuardia, JFK, and Newark affected flights beyond the immediate region, influencing the national flight network. Business aviation operators sharing the congested airspace faced challenges due to combined ground stops and delays, highlighting the need for coordinated planning of arrival slots and
alternate routing.
