The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented ground stops at LaGuardia Airport starting at 1:27 p.m. ET and at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) beginning at 2:49 p.m. ET on November 12, 2026, in response to thunderstorms affecting the New York metropolitan area. Concurrently, Newark Liberty International Airport initiated a ground delay program at 2:37 p.m. ET. The LaGuardia ground delay program began at 1 p.m. ET and is scheduled to remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. ET. LaGuardia currently holds both a ground stop and a ground delay program concurrently.
Flight Delays and Cancellations Across New York Airports
FlightAware reported that as of 1:31 p.m. ET on
November 12, 2026, LaGuardia Airport had 215 delayed flights and 10 cancellations. Newark Liberty International saw 131 delays and 6 cancellations as of 2:24 p.m. ET, while JFK recorded 239 delays and 24 cancellations at 3:16 p.m. ET. Flights under the delay program at LaGuardia averaged 63 minutes of delay, whereas Newark flights experienced average delays of 137 minutes, more than twice as long as LaGuardia.
Weather Conditions Prompting FAA Flow Control Measures
Thunderstorms and heavy rain led to the FAA restrictions, with a flood advisory active until 1:45 p.m. ET in Newark and surrounding areas due to minor flooding in low-lying regions. The National Weather Service
forecasted prolonged rainfall across the New York metropolitan area into Friday, November 13, 2026, with the possibility of minor coastal flooding. These weather conditions caused significant disruptions to air traffic flow.
Impact on Air Traffic and Passenger Experience
The FAA’s use of ground stops, which hold flights on the ground at their departure airports, combined with ground delay programs that meter departures to manage arrivals, created layered delays across the region’s airports. The ground stops at LaGuardia and JFK were initially expected to end at 3:45 p.m. ET but carry a 30% to 60% probability of extension. These restrictions affect flights originating both within and outside the
New York metropolitan area, causing widespread network delays. Flights under the ground delay programs experienced significant average delays, reaching 137 minutes at Newark.
FAA Monitoring and Potential Further Restrictions
The FAA continues to monitor weather conditions across the Northeast and warned that additional air traffic restrictions may be implemented as the storm progresses. The agency highlighted the ongoing challenges at New York’s three major airports due to the prolonged storm and associated weather conditions.
