Flights Grounded at NYC Area Airports as Smoke Reduces Visibility

Flights Grounded at NYC Area Airports as Smoke Reduces Visibility

A growing number of flights were delayed at airports in the New York City area due to smoke from fires across eastern Canada. The smoke blanketed the region since yesterday and it got visibly worse today as the day went on, casting an eerie orange glow in the sky and reducing visibility.

Ground delays were in place at LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport Wednesday afternoon, as well as at Philadelphia International Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration’s website. A brief ground stop for flights headed to LaGuardia was lifted at 1:57 p.m.

“The FAA has slowed traffic to and from the New York City area airports due to reduced visibility from wildfire smoke,” the agency said in a statement. It “will adjust the volume of traffic to account for the rapidly changing conditions.”

• Due to WEATHER / LOW VISIBILITY, there is a Traffic Management Program in effect for traffic arriving La Guardia Airport, New York, NY (LGA). This is causing some arriving flights to be delayed an average of 1 hour and 59 minutes.
• Due to WEATHER / LOW VISIBILITY, departure traffic destined to Newark International Airport, Newark, NJ (EWR) is currently experiencing delays averaging 1 hour and 22 minutes.
• Due to WEATHER / LOW VISIBILITY, departure traffic destined to Philadelphia International Airport, Philadelphia, PA (PHL) is currently experiencing delays averaging 29 minutes.

Check out this almost unbelievable time-lapse of wildfire smoke consuming the World Trade Center and the New York City skyline.

Those vulnerable to poor air quality, including seniors and young children, should limit time outdoors if possible.

More: https://t.co/ChRuWv7X6E pic.twitter.com/mtKtLun8lN

— NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) June 7, 2023

Health officials urged New York City residents to stay indoors on Wednesday. Unhealthy air quality levels posed a risk to people with heart or breathing problems and children and older adults may be especially sensitive.