Flights to New York, New Jersey Delayed Due to Widespread Canadian Wildfires

At the moment, New York City and neighboring areas in New Jersey are facing historic levels of smoke due to more than 400 wildfires in Canada, and Twitter is currently filled with pictures comparing the scene to something out of films like “Lord of the Rings” and “Mad Max: Fury Road.” 

Authorities are advising everyone to stay indoors, if possible, and to limit their exposure to the outdoors as much as possible. 

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In response to current conditions, the Federal Aviation Administration placed a ground stop in and out of New York’s LaGuardia Airport in Queens, due to low visibility. Ground stops means that some flights are being held to ease congestion, but others have been allowed to take off. The FAA has since lifted the ground stop, but many flights are still delayed.

Flights at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey were also delayed, on average by about 84 minutes due low visibility.

At the time of this writing, John F. Kennedy International Airport has not been impacted, and is only experiencing normal levels of delays.

According to FlightAware, which tracks delays and cancellations, LaGuardia is currently averaging inbound flights delayed at an average of 1 hours 59 minutes, departure delays at an average of 38 minutes (and decreasing) and arrival delays for airborne aircraft an average of 56 minutes (and increasing). It also have twice as many cancellations as it did 24 hour ago, and a 158% change in flight activity.

FlightAware also notes that Newark has had 19 times more cancellations than it did 24 hours ago, and has seen a 71% change in flight activity.

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