The aviation network in New York has been thrown into disarray as powerful winter Storm Hernando sweeps across the Northeast, forcing the cancellation of thousands of flights and bringing operations at the region’s busiest airports to a near halt.
The blizzard, described by forecasters as potentially historic, has buried the city under more than a foot of snow and created whiteout conditions that have made safe air travel nearly impossible.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey confirmed that John F Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport remain technically open, but the vast majority of scheduled flights have been cancelled.
At both JFK and LaGuardia, more than 15 inches of snow were recorded early Monday, overwhelming ground crews despite continuous plowing and de‑icing efforts.
Mass Cancellations Across New York…
The scale of disruption is unprecedented for the 2026 winter season.
More than 10,000 flights nationwide have been cancelled as Winter Storm Hernando sweeps from Maryland to Maine, effectively turning the Northeast into a no‑fly zone.
LaGuardia has emerged as the most severely affected airport, with more than 80 percent of its schedule wiped out by Monday morning.
JFK and Newark have also seen cancellations exceeding 60 percent and 50 percent respectively, with ripple effects spreading across the country.
Airlines have responded by issuing widespread travel waivers, allowing passengers to rebook without penalties as they attempt to manage the operational chaos.
Major carriers including Delta, American, United, and JetBlue have suspended large portions of their Northeast operations, while international airlines have cancelled transatlantic services due to deteriorating visibility and high winds.
Ground Transport and Airport Services Impacted Following Storm Hernando…
The storm’s impact extends beyond the runway.
AirTrain services at both JFK and Newark have been suspended, replaced by shuttle buses struggling through snow‑choked roads.
Inside terminals, stranded passengers have resorted to sleeping on benches as they wait for updates from airlines.
The Port Authority has urged travelers not to head to the airports unless they have confirmed flight information, citing ongoing challenges in restoring normal operations.
City officials have declared a state of emergency, implementing travel bans for non‑essential vehicles as snow continues to fall at rates of up to three inches per hour.
Meteorologists warn that conditions may not improve until Tuesday, meaning airlines face a multi‑day recovery effort to reposition aircraft and crews once the storm clears.
A Prolonged Recovery Ahead Following New York Blizzard…
With more than 5,000 flights cancelled on Monday alone and thousands more delayed, the blizzard has delivered one of the most significant aviation disruptions New York has seen in nearly a decade.
The combination of heavy snowfall, fierce winds, and near‑zero visibility has created a perfect storm for operational paralysis.
As Winter Storm Hernando continues its march across the Northeast, the aviation sector is bracing for a slow and complex recovery.
For now, New York’s airports remain symbols of a region brought to a standstill by the full force of winter.
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