John F. Kennedy Airport was forced to ground all planes Friday as the metro area’s two other major airports were also snarled by high winds, as the ongoing government shutdown has reduced air traffic control center staffing.
LaGuardia and Newark airports were also ordered to ground all planes due to the gusty weather, according to the FAA.
“Travelers should expect widespread ripple delays and check with their airline for the latest flight status,” the city’s Emergency Management Office said.
High winds and staffing shortages are causing severe delays at all NYC-area airports. Getty Images
Flights to JFK are being held at their departure airports, with a ground stop in effect until 7:30 p.m. due to the combination of wind and staffing issues, resulting in 36 planes being held per hour.
Ground delays at the Queens airport are averaging one hour due to the winds.
Ground delays are running at an average of two hours at LaGuardia, though some planes are delayed as much as five hours.
Newark is suffering delays of up to an hour and 40 minutes.
All three airports were registering gusts of 45 miles per hour, according to Fox Weather.
The National Weather Service issued a wind advisory through midnight.
Officials warned that the inclement weather could cause further delays and that passengers should check with their airlines to see how they are affected.
The intense winds are compounding the staffing shortages that have been plaguing airports and their traffic control stations amid the 31-day-long government shutdown.