New York City travelers faced delays and cancellations on Thursday morning as severe thunderstorms lashed the region. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented ground stops at two major airports, John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA), to prioritize safety during the storm. The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the city and surrounding areas, predicting heavy downpours, hail, and wind gusts exceeding 60 miles per hour.
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These conditions posed a significant risk to aircraft taking off and landing, prompting the FAA to halt all outbound flights from JFK and LGA. The ground stops went into effect around 9:30 am EDT and was initially expected to last until noon. Passengers faced delays and some cancellations as airlines adjusted their schedules to accommodate the disruption. The storm's impact wasn't limited to JFK and LGA. Flights into Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) also experienced significant delays.
While the ground stops were lifted by midday, the storm's aftermath continued to cause issues. Airport operations resumed, but many flights faced lingering delays as airlines worked to clear the backlog and re-accommodate affected passengers.
The incident highlights the impact of severe weather on air travel. While frustrating for passengers, the ground stops were a necessary safety measure to ensure the well-being of those onboard and on the ground.