The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a ground stop advisory for LaGuardia Airport (LGA) on Monday, July 27, 2026, caused by staffing shortages at the air traffic control facility. Concurrently, flights arriving at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) faced delays averaging 2 hours and 29 minutes due to a Traffic Management Program implemented by the FAA.
Delta Air Lines experienced the highest number of flight cancellations out of LaGuardia on the same day. The FAA’s ground stop means that all flights scheduled to depart for LaGuardia were held at their origins until the stop was lifted. In addition to
LGA and JFK, flights into Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey and Philadelphia International Airport in Pennsylvania were also slowed due to combined weather conditions and staffing constraints at the responsible air traffic control facility.
Earlier July 2026 Disruptions Reflect Staffing and Weather Challenges
Earlier in July 2026, more than 500 flights were cancelled and 4,000 delayed across the New York area as a result of adverse weather and similar staffing shortages impacting air traffic control operations. The FAA stated, “Due to STAFFING / STAFFING, there is a Traffic Management Program in effect for traffic arriving at John F Kennedy International Airport, New York, NY (JFK). This is
causing some arriving flights to be delayed an average of 2 hours and 29 minutes.” The combination of weather and control facility staffing issues continues to affect air traffic into major Northeast airports.
