The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a ground stop on the afternoon of July 16, 2026, at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Dallas Love Field, temporarily preventing flights destined for North Texas from departing.
The ground stop for departures at DFW was lifted at 3:34 p.m. local time, while the restriction at Dallas Love Field ended at 3:42 p.m. Despite the lifting of the stoppages, DFW continued to experience increasing departure delays averaging 45 minutes.
DFW International Airport serves as the primary hub for American Airlines, headquartered in nearby Fort Worth. Dallas Love Field, operating 18 out of
its 20 gates for Southwest Airlines, is the base for that carrier’s operations in the region.
The FAA implemented the ground stop in response to an approaching storm system affecting North Texas. This measure aimed to manage air traffic flow and prevent departures toward the region during adverse weather. Ground stops are particularly impactful around North Texas due to the area’s heavy volume of both commercial and private aviation activity.
Flight Impact Data
According to flight tracking site FlightAware, at 3:02 p.m. local time there was one flight cancellation at DFW International Airport, while Dallas Love Field reported no cancellations. Combined, both airports
logged over 400 delayed flights as a result of the ground stop and weather conditions.
