More than 500 flights were cancelled and roughly 4,000 delayed today, July 18, 2026, at John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, and Philadelphia International Airport, officials reported.
To manage congestion, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed ground stops and ground delays intermittently throughout the evening at these airports. Ground stops hold flights at their origin airport until cleared to depart, while ground delays allow takeoffs with scheduled departure times to space arrivals. These procedures reduce air traffic congestion and minimize airborne holding patterns.
The disruptions stem from adverse weather conditions coupled with air traffic control
staffing shortages at the facility overseeing flights at the affected airports. These factors have limited the FAA’s ability to maintain normal flight flow and capacity through the New York metropolitan airspace and extending to Philadelphia.
Passengers flying to or from JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, or Philadelphia airports should expect significant delays. Flights destined for these airports may be held on the ground for undetermined periods, or experience scheduled departure delays to ensure safe spacing. Travelers can monitor real-time flight status and cancellation updates on FlightAware and the FAA’s official website.
The delays impact four of the region’s primary airports: JFK and
LaGuardia, located in New York City; Newark Liberty in New Jersey; and Philadelphia International in Pennsylvania. These hubs serve the greater New York metropolitan area and are critical connectors for domestic and international air traffic.
