The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) canceled the ground stop at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on September 11, 2026, and implemented a ground delay program effective from 6 p.m. to 9:59 p.m. the same day to manage air traffic amid weather disruptions.
Inbound flights to Atlanta experienced an average delay of 107 minutes, with the longest delay reaching 271 minutes. Outbound flights from the airport were delayed on average by 75 minutes, a figure that continued to rise. The ground delay program applied to flights departing from airports within 1,000 nautical miles of Atlanta, adjusting departure times to reduce congestion at
the airport.
Thunderstorms moving over metro Atlanta and North Georgia caused intermittent ground stops beginning at 12:08 p.m. and multiple restrictions throughout the afternoon. These weather conditions prompted the FAA to institute measures controlling arrival traffic to mitigate the impact of storm-related disruptions on airport operations.
Travelers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport faced significant delays due to the ongoing effects of the thunderstorms and FAA air traffic control measures. Passengers experienced inbound flight delays of up to 271 minutes and outbound delays averaging 75 minutes as of September 11.
CBS News Atlanta NEXT Weather tracked continuous heavy rain and thunderstorms
affecting the metro Atlanta area and North Georgia, with localized flooding risks due to downpours. These conditions contributed directly to the air traffic restrictions and delays issued on September 11.
