Active Ground Stops & Delay Programs
Updated 08:05 ET — refresh for the latest. Currently tracking 0 active FAA traffic-management actions across major US airports.
Active Ground Stops
0No active ground stops
US airports are accepting departures as scheduled.
Active Ground Delay Programs
0No active GDPs
No FAA Ground Delay Programs are currently in effect.
What is a ground stop?
A ground stop is an FAA-issued order that halts the departure of flights heading to a specific airport. When the FAA's Air Traffic Control System Command Center determines that an airport cannot accept the planned arrival rate, it issues a ground stop so aircraft remain on the ground at their origin instead of holding in the air.
Ground stops typically last 30 to 90 minutes and are extended in 30-minute increments. The most common causes are thunderstorms, low visibility, snow and ice, runway closures, equipment outages, and air-traffic-control staffing shortages. EWR, LGA, JFK, ORD, and ATL see ground stops most frequently because of their congested airspace and weather exposure.
What is a Ground Delay Program (GDP)?
A Ground Delay Program is a planned traffic-management tool the FAA uses when an airport's arrival capacity drops below scheduled demand. Instead of letting flights take off and circle in holding patterns, the FAA assigns each inbound flight an Expected Departure Clearance Time (EDCT). Aircraft wait at the gate until their slot opens up.
This reduces airborne congestion, saves fuel, and lowers the chance of diversions. GDPs often last several hours and may be revised as conditions change. If your destination airport has an active GDP, your flight may push back from the gate later than scheduled — that's a feature, not a failure.
How can I check my flight?
Your airline's app is the fastest source of truth — it pushes notifications the moment your specific flight is delayed, gate-changed, or rebooked. After that, a flight tracker like FlightAware or Flighty shows live aircraft position so you can see whether your inbound aircraft is on the ground.
For airport-wide context, check the live FAA delay map and our most-delayed airports board. If your airport is shown above, expect cascading effects across your trip.
Common ground stop airports
A handful of US airports account for the bulk of FAA ground stops because of their congested airspace, runway constraints, and weather exposure. Tap any airport for live status, wait times, and delay history.