The Federal Aviation Administration imposed a ground stop at Newark Liberty International Airport starting at 9:40 a.m. local time on August 27, 2026, due to severe thunderstorms. The ground stop is expected to last through at least 10:00 a.m., with average flight delays at Newark anticipated to exceed one hour once operations resume.
Severe Impact at LaGuardia Airport
LaGuardia Airport also faced significant disruptions from the same severe weather system, prompting a ground delay that led to an average flight delay of more than 1.5 hours as of 9:40 a.m. local time. The airport reported 42 cancellations, representing 7% of scheduled flights, and 101 delays
amounting to 18% of flights at LaGuardia.
Flight Disruptions at JFK Without Ground Stop
John F. Kennedy International Airport experienced notable delays and cancellations on August 27, 2026, despite no official ground stop being in place. The airport recorded 19 cancellations and 48 delays during the morning hours, contributing to broader flight disruptions in the New York metropolitan area.
FlightAware data from 9:45 a.m. EDT indicates that nationwide, the severe thunderstorms impacting the New York airspace have led to 1,522 total flight delays and 172 cancellations within, into, or out of the United States on the same day.
In response to the widespread flight disruptions, several major
airlines based in New York issued flexible travel waivers for passengers. These waivers allow travelers scheduled to fly on August 27, 2026, to change or rebook their flights without incurring change fees or fare differences.
