A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ground stop at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport was in effect from 6:30 a.m. to about 9 a.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, due to low ceilings. After the ground stop expired, it was replaced by a departure delay that ended as rainfall decreased.
Nearly 300 Flights Delayed or Canceled by Mid-Afternoon
As of 2:30 p.m. on October 13, FlightAware reported one flight canceled and 292 flights delayed at Phoenix Sky Harbor. The average delay for affected flights was roughly 30 minutes. This followed a similar disruption on Monday, October 12, when over 200 flights were delayed or canceled amid weather-related ground stops
and delays at the same airport.
FAA Procedures and Roles in Flight Disruptions
A ground stop is an air traffic control procedure mandated by the FAA that requires all aircraft to remain on the ground due to unsafe conditions for takeoff or landing. It differs from a ground delay, which postpones takeoffs of flights destined for the affected airport. While the FAA issues ground stops and ground delays, flight cancellations are determined by individual airlines and not by the FAA.
Weather Conditions Behind the Ground Stop
The ground stop resulted from low cloud ceilings at Phoenix Sky Harbor amidst morning showers, which had a 70 to 75 percent chance of rain and winds
ranging from 5 to 15 mph, according to The Weather Channel. These conditions compromised visibility and safety for aircraft operations, prompting the FAA to impose the ground stop.
