FAA delays flights at New York, Newark, LaGuardia and Philadelphia airports

The Federal Aviation Administration announced that flights into three New York City area airports—John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty—and Philadelphia International Airport are being slowed because of severe weather and a persistent shortage of air‑traffic‑control staff. FlightAware reported that 20%‑30% of flights were cancelled, with ground delays ranging from 71 to 149 minutes.

The staffing shortfall at the New York Air Route Traffic Control Center leaves the New York Area Terminal Radar Approach Control at only 57% of its targeted controller levels, forcing many controllers to work mandatory overtime and six‑day weeks. To mitigate the impact, the FAA has extended flight‑limit waivers at the affected airports through 2027‑2028 and allowed airlines to operate up to 10% fewer flights under the minimum‑flight‑requirements waiver.