By 7 a.m. EST on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) each recorded more than 100 flight cancellations. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) reported 60 canceled flights. These figures come as severe weather continues to disrupt operations at all three major New York City area airports.
Severe Thunderstorms Cause FAA Ground Stops and Delay Programs
A system of intense thunderstorms moving through the tri-state area, bringing torrential rain, high winds, and localized flooding, forced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to implement ground stops and delay programs for JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark. An additional ground delay program was issued for LaGuardia on
Tuesday morning following similar measures enacted on Monday.
Cascading Ripple Effects Impact Other Major Hubs
Flight disruptions at New York airports created cascading ripple effects throughout the national aviation network. Secondary delays and cancellations extended to other major hubs including Atlanta, Chicago O’Hare, and Charlotte, despite clear weather conditions there. Nearly all major airlines have issued flexible change waivers for travel involving New York City airports on Tuesday.
Comparison to Previous Evening’s Cancellations
Monday evening, LaGuardia suffered over 100 flight cancellations, while JFK and Newark also experienced above-average cancellation rates. Tuesday’s cancellations at JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark have reached similar levels by early morning, maintaining the disruption caused by the severe weather
system moving across the region.
The FAA’s ongoing ground stops and delay programs at New York’s major airports, introduced on Monday and extended further on Tuesday, are contributing factors to the widespread flight cancellations and delays observed in the tri-state area.
