The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a ground stop for Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) beginning at 9:40 a.m. local time on August 27, 2026. The restriction was expected to last through at least 10:00 a.m., triggering subsequent disruptions at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York City.
Flights inbound to LaGuardia began experiencing ground delays coinciding with the Newark ground stop, with average delays exceeding 90 minutes as of 9:40 a.m. Meanwhile, JFK faced major interruptions, including cancellations and delays, despite no formal ground stop being implemented.
Flight Delays and Cancellations
FlightAware data as of 9:45 a.m.
EDT on August 27 indicated 1,522 delayed flights and 172 cancellations occurred across the U.S. airspace due to the weather system. At LaGuardia Airport, 42 flights were canceled—accounting for 7% of daily operations—and 101 flights delayed, representing 18% of scheduled traffic.
John F. Kennedy Airport reported 19 cancellations and 48 flight delays on the same morning. Data on specific cancellations and delays at Newark were not disclosed.
Weather Impact and FAA Actions
Severe thunderstorms and summer storms prompted the FAA to halt departures at Newark Liberty International Airport to manage air traffic safely. The weather system caused widespread disruption across New York City’s three major
airports, with ground delays in place at both Newark and LaGuardia. The cascading nature of delays is expected to extend through the day, with average delays at Newark exceeding one hour once the ground stop is lifted.
In response to the ongoing disruptions, several major airlines operating out of New York issued flexible travel waivers. These allow passengers with flights scheduled for August 27, 2026, to rebook or change itineraries without incurring change fees or fare differences.
