On November 12, 2026, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued ground stops at LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy International airports and initiated a ground delay program at Newark Liberty International Airport due to thunderstorms across the New York metropolitan area.
The ground stop at LaGuardia Airport in Queens began at 1:27 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) and was expected to last until 3:45 p.m. ET, with a declared 30% to 60% probability the restriction would extend beyond this time. Meanwhile, a ground delay program started at LaGuardia at 1 p.m. ET and was planned to remain in effect until 11:59 p.m.,
resulting in average arrival delays of 63 minutes at that airport.
At Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, the FAA implemented a ground delay program beginning at 2:37 p.m. ET. Flights arriving at Newark experienced average delays of 137 minutes due to this measure. John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City saw a ground stop enacted at 2:49 p.m. ET, initially expected to conclude at 3:45 p.m. ET, also with a 30% to 60% chance of extension.
Flight Delays and Cancellations Across New York Airports
According to FlightAware data collected on November 12, 2026, LaGuardia Airport had 215 delayed flights and 10 cancellations as
of approximately 1:31 p.m. ET. Newark recorded 131 delays and 6 cancellations at about 2:24 p.m. ET. John F. Kennedy International Airport reported 239 delays and 24 cancellations as of 3:16 p.m. ET. These figures reflect active disruptions and may have varied after these times.
Weather Conditions in the Region
The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory valid until 1:45 p.m. ET for Newark and its surroundings due to heavy rainfall causing minor flooding in low-lying areas. This advisory did not extend to Queens, where LaGuardia is located. The forecast predicted prolonged rainfall across the New York metropolitan area continuing through Friday, with the
potential for minor coastal flooding.
FAA Flow-Control Measures and Network Impact
Ground stops, such as those at LaGuardia and JFK, delay affected flights from departing until the restrictions are lifted. Ground delay programs, used at both LaGuardia and Newark, regulate departure times to manage arrival rates at congested airports. These layered controls directly affect the three major New York area airports and indirectly cause delays at airports outside the metropolitan region by disrupting the established flow of inbound and outbound flights.
Traveler Impact and FAA Monitoring
The combined effects of ground stops and ground delay programs led to significant disruptions for travelers on November 12, 2026, with average delays of 63
minutes at LaGuardia and 137 minutes at Newark. The FAA continues to monitor weather patterns throughout the Northeast and has indicated the possibility of additional restrictions as the weather system moves through the region.
