The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued ground stops at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport on November 12, 2026, amid thunderstorms affecting the metropolitan area. LaGuardia’s ground stop began at 1:27 p.m. Eastern Time (ET), initially expected to end at 3:45 p.m. ET, while JFK’s ground stop started at 2:49 p.m. ET with a similar expected end time. Both ground stops carried a 30% to 60% chance of extension. Concurrently, Newark Liberty International Airport initiated a ground delay program at 2:37 p.m. ET to manage inbound traffic under adverse weather conditions.
Flight Delays and Cancellations Data
FlightAware reported real-time data
snapshots showing flight disruptions at the three airports. At 1:31 p.m. ET, LaGuardia had 215 delayed flights and 10 cancellations. Newark recorded 131 delayed flights and 6 cancellations at 2:24 p.m. ET. At JFK, as of 3:16 p.m. ET, delays numbered 239 with 24 cancellations. The average delay time for flights arriving at LaGuardia under the ground delay program was 63 minutes. Newark flights under delay restrictions faced an average delay of 137 minutes. A flood advisory was in effect until 1:45 p.m. ET for Newark and surrounding areas, prompted by heavy rain causing minor flooding in low-lying zones.
Ground Stops Versus Ground Delay Programs
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FAA’s ground stops at JFK and LaGuardia required flights destined for these airports to remain grounded until restrictions were lifted. In contrast, Newark’s ground delay program controlled the timing of departing flights to limit arrivals, reducing congestion during the thunderstorms. These flow control methods affect flights originating beyond the New York region, spreading delays across the broader flight network. During the disruptions, LaGuardia operated both a ground stop and a separate ground delay program until 11:59 p.m. ET, while Newark’s longer delays illustrated the compounded impact of its ground delay strategy.
FAA Monitoring and Weather Forecast
The National Weather Service issued forecasts predicting extended rainfall
across the New York metropolitan area through Friday, with possible minor coastal flooding in some locations. The FAA indicated it continues to monitor meteorological conditions across the Northeast and signaled that further air traffic restrictions could be implemented as the weather system progresses. The initial scheduled expiration for the ground stops at LaGuardia and JFK was 3:45 p.m. ET, but the probability of extensions ranged significantly due to the evolving storm conditions.
