The Federal Aviation Administration imposed ground stops at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field on the afternoon of July 16, 2026, amid thunderstorms disrupting flight operations for the second consecutive day. Flights bound for North Texas were halted from departure until the stops were lifted.
Ground Stops Lifted After Significant Delays
The ground stop at DFW International Airport was lifted at 4:23 p.m., while Dallas Love Field resumed normal departures after the stop was removed at 5:15 p.m., according to FAA records. Prior to the lift, flights departing DFW faced an average delay of 90 minutes, and Love Field flights experienced an average
delay of 75 minutes.
DFW International Airport serves as the central hub for American Airlines, which is based in nearby Fort Worth, while Dallas Love Field serves as the home base for Southwest Airlines. Southwest operates 18 of the 20 gates at Love Field. Given the high volume of daily commercial and private air traffic, the FAA’s ground stops were critical to managing airspace safety amid the thunderstorms.
