On Monday, July 28, 2026, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued and later lifted ground stops at Newark Liberty International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and John F. Kennedy International Airport. These restrictions affected flights heading to all three major New York City-area airports.
Flight Delays and Cancellations Scale
FlightAware reported approximately 500 flights inbound to Newark, LaGuardia, and JFK were delayed as of 4:30 p.m., with about 80 inbound cancellations across the three airports. Additionally, over 300 flights departing from the New York City area faced delays. The FAA attributed the flight slowdowns to staffing shortages and severe weather conditions impacting the New York Air Route
Traffic Control Center. Delays were expected to persist through the late night of July 28.
FAA Explanation and Staffing Shortage Details
An FAA spokesperson confirmed that the combination of severe weather and insufficient staffing levels at the New York Air Route Traffic Control Center led to the operational slowdown and implementation of ground stops. The spokesperson did not provide details about the reasons for the understaffing at the start of the week.
The FAA announced the lifting of ground stops as capacity improved, allowing flights to resume normal operations at Newark, LaGuardia, and JFK airports.
Passengers experienced delays exceeding one hour and some cancellations while the
ground stops were in effect, impacting flight operations both inbound and outbound in the New York City metropolitan area on July 28, 2026.
