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 beginning at 2:49 p.m. ET on November 12, 2026. Both were initially scheduled to end at 3:45 p.m. ET, though the FAA indicated a 30% to 60% probability that the stops could be extended. Concurrently, ground delay programs began at LaGuardia at 1 p.m. ET, lasting until 11:59 p.m., and at Newark Liberty International Airport starting at 2:37 p.m. ET to manage arrivals amid severe weather conditions.
Flights subjected to the ground delay programs experienced significant delays
on November 12. At Newark, average delays reached 137 minutes for departing flights under the program, while LaGuardia saw average delays of 63 minutes. FlightAware data recorded approximately 215 delays and 10 cancellations at LaGuardia by 1:31 p.m. ET, about 131 delays and six cancellations at Newark by 2:24 p.m. ET, and roughly 239 delays with 24 cancellations at JFK by 3:16 p.m. ET.
A flood advisory was active until 1:45 p.m. ET on November 12, covering Newark and surrounding regions. Heavy rainfall led to minor flooding in low-lying areas near Newark. The National Weather Service forecasted continuous rainfall across
the New York metropolitan area extending into Friday, with potential minor coastal flooding. These weather conditions prompted the FAA to continue close monitoring of the region and the implementation of air traffic restrictions.
The FAA stated that additional air traffic controls might be necessary as the weather system moves through the Northeast. Ground stops halt flights from departing until conditions allow, whereas ground delay programs meter departures to regulate the flow of arriving flights, minimizing congestion at affected airports.
LaGuardia was subject to overlapping flow-control measures with both a ground stop and an all-day delay program in effect, while Newark
experienced longer average delays under its ground delay program compared to LaGuardia. These layered restrictions affect flight scheduling not only within the New York metropolitan area but can also disrupt operations at airports outside the region due to interlinked air traffic flows and congestion.
