The Federal Aviation Administration enforced ground stops at John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport on August 12, 2026. The action was taken in response to severe thunderstorms sweeping across the country, affecting departures to these three major tri-state area airports. Ground stops for JFK and LaGuardia remained in effect until 6:30 p.m., while Newark’s ground stop was scheduled until 6 p.m.
Flight Delays and Cancellations at New York Area Airports
FlightAware data showed that as of 4:15 p.m., delays to flights headed toward the tri-state airports exceeded two hours. More than 200 flights en route to LaGuardia were delayed, and nearly 100 flights
to LaGuardia were canceled. Combined delays at Newark and JFK surpassed 300 flights. The FAA noted the possibility that these ground stops could be extended beyond the planned end times.
Operational Impact on Tri-State Airport Hubs
The ground stops and weather-related disruptions caused widespread flight delays and cancellations, impacting hundreds of passengers across the largest transportation hubs serving the New York City area. These interruptions affected the flow of air traffic into and out of the tri-state airports, which are critical gateways for both domestic and international travelers.
