The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented a ground stop at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey before 9:40 a.m. local time on August 27, 2026, due to severe thunderstorms. The stop is expected to remain in effect through at least 10:00 a.m., with cascading delays exceeding one hour anticipated once operations resume.
Impact on LaGuardia and JFK Airports
LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York City is experiencing a ground delay caused by the same storm system. As of 9:40 a.m. local time, inbound flights at LaGuardia are delayed by an average of more than 90 minutes. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), though not
under a ground stop, is also facing severe disruptions including multiple cancellations and delays linked to the weather.
Flight operations at LaGuardia this morning include 42 cancellations, representing 7% of total scheduled flights, and 101 delayed flights accounting for 18% of departures and arrivals. JFK reported 19 cancellations and 48 delays during the same time frame despite no formal ground stop.
Nationwide Flight Disruptions and Airline Responses
Data from FlightAware as of 9:45 a.m. EDT on August 27 shows the storm system’s extensive impact on U.S. air traffic, with a total of 1,522 flight delays and 172 cancellations reported across national airspace. These disruptions are concentrated
around the New York City airport complex but also affect flights nationwide.
Several major U.S. carriers operating from New York airports have issued flexible travel waivers for passengers scheduled to fly on August 27. These waivers allow changes or rebookings without incurring change fees or fare differences, recognizing the widespread impact caused by the severe weather and FAA ground stop at Newark.
LaGuardia is among the top-ranked airports globally in terms of flight disruption this morning, reflecting the severity of the thunderstorm impact on New York City’s busy airspace.
