The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a ground stop at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) starting at 9:40 a.m. local time on August 27, 2026, due to thunderstorms over the New York metropolitan area. The ground stop is expected to last at least until 10:00 a.m. local time.
Flight Delays and Cancellations at Major New York Airports
Severe weather also led to a ground delay at LaGuardia Airport (LGA), where flights arriving as of 9:40 a.m. local time experienced average delays exceeding 90 minutes. FlightAware data at 9:45 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time reported 1,522 flight delays and 172 cancellations nationwide related to the storm system.
At LaGuardia, 42 flights
were canceled, representing 7% of total scheduled flights, with 101 additional flights delayed (18%). John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), operating without a ground stop, recorded 19 cancellations and 48 delays during the same period.
Traveler Impact and Airspace Disruptions Across New York
The FAA’s ground stop at Newark caused cascading schedule disruptions across the New York metropolitan area’s airports. Several major airlines have issued flexible travel waivers for passengers with flights on August 27, 2026, permitting fee-free changes or rebookings.
The storm’s influence extended beyond local airspace, contributing to widespread delays and cancellations throughout United States airspace. LaGuardia Airport ranked among the most affected hubs worldwide in
terms of flight cancellations and delays during the morning of August 27, 2026.
