The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) enforced ground stops at nine Northeast U.S. airports on August 18, 2026, in response to severe weather including thunderstorms with damaging wind gusts forecasted throughout the region. This action disrupted flight operations and prompted major airlines to anticipate widespread delays and cancellations across the Northeast.
Cancellations Concentrated at LaGuardia and Newark Airports
LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York recorded the highest volume of cancellations in the region as of early morning August 18, 2026, with 43 flights cancelled. The disruptions began on August 17, 2026, when the airport experienced 37 cancellations of departures and 27 arrivals. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) ranked
second with 27 cancellations on August 17. These figures are expected to rise as thunderstorms affect the area later in the day.
Delta Air Lines Announces Flexible Rebooking Options Amid Delays
Delta Air Lines issued travel warnings to customers, detailing plans for a New York City cancellation package to address the anticipated air traffic control delays on August 18. The airline offers fee-waived rebooking for affected flights on August 6 and 7, 2026, if changes are made by August 10, 2026. Rebooked travel must remain in the original cabin of service to avoid fare differences, with Delta stating, “When rebooked travel occurs on or before August 10, 2026 in
the same cabin of service as originally booked, the fare difference will be waived.”
Passenger Reports Highlight Air Traffic and Staffing Delays
Passengers reported significant delays at LaGuardia Airport prior to the thunderstorms. Delta customer Mark Haubry noted a delay of over two hours on a flight from Indianapolis to LaGuardia on August 17, attributing it to air traffic control congestion. Another Delta customer, Rudi Bester, cited a pilot shortage delaying flight DL2396 from LaGuardia to Palm Beach (PBI) due to only one available pilot.
Ongoing Disruptions Expected as Storms Progress
Major airlines including Delta and JetBlue, which maintain large operations in New York and the Boston area, expect continued disruptions through August 18.
Airlines anticipate swelling cancellations and delays as severe thunderstorms move through the Northeast during the afternoon and evening, complicating air traffic management. Travelers should prepare for evolving conditions given the FAA’s ground stops and weather impacts across the region.
