The Federal Aviation Administration imposed a ground stop at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) on August 27, 2026, beginning at or before 9:40 a.m. local time. The stoppage was expected to last at least until 10:00 a.m. local time, prompted by severe thunderstorms disrupting operations.
Flight delay and cancellation data from FlightAware at 9:45 a.m. EDT showed the storm severely affecting New York City airports and the broader U.S. national airspace with 1,522 total delays and 172 cancellations. Newark experienced halted departures and arrivals during the ground stop. At LaGuardia Airport (LGA), a ground delay due to the storm caused
inbound flights to face average delays exceeding an hour and a half as of 9:40 a.m.
LaGuardia reported 42 cancellations, representing 7% of scheduled flights, and 101 delays, covering 18%, by 9:45 a.m. EDT. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), despite not having a ground stop, saw 19 cancellations and 48 delays during the same timeframe, indicating significant disruption from the storm system.
Newark, LaGuardia, and JFK Flight Disruptions
The ground stop at Newark led to cascading complications expected to impact flights throughout the day. Passengers faced grounded departures and arrivals starting at 9:40 a.m. Delay averages at LaGuardia surpassed ninety minutes for arriving flights due
to the ongoing severe weather conditions.
Airlines operating from the New York City area implemented flexible travel policies for passengers scheduled to fly on August 27, allowing flight changes or rebooking without change fees or fare differences in response to the disruptions. Specific airlines issuing these waivers were not disclosed.
