The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed a ground stop for flights destined to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) on Sunday, September 13, 2026, starting at 8:18 a.m. The pause in arriving flights lasted until 12:15 p.m. and was triggered by intense thunderstorm activity in the New York region.
Ground Stop Lifted; Delays Continue
Following the lift of the ground stop at 12:15 p.m., departing flights from JFK encountered average delays of approximately 15 minutes as of 3:30 p.m. The FAA attributed these delays to weather-related traffic management procedures implemented to maintain safe operations amid ongoing disruptions.
Broader Weather Impacts Across New York Metropolitan Area
Thunderstorms accompanied by heavy rainfall affected the New
York metropolitan area on Sunday morning, causing flooding and travel disruptions beyond the airport. These conditions contributed directly to the FAA’s decision to halt incoming flights to JFK temporarily and to manage air traffic delays even after the ground stop was lifted.
