Delays and Cancellations Persist at Major U.S. Airports Dozens of flights from Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia, and John F. Kennedy airports were delayed or cancelled on Sunday, March 22, 2026, as part of a broader pattern of disruptions linked to ongoing funding disputes and adverse weather conditions. The situation reflects a growing challenge for travelers, with delays and cancellations escalating in recent weeks due to a standoff in Washington over funding for the Department of Homeland Security. This includes the Transportation Security Administration, which has faced staffing shortages as TSA workers have gone unpaid for weeks. The resulting absences have led to longer security line waits and operational slowdowns at major airports. According to FlightAware, as of 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Newark Liberty International reported 41 delayed flights and eight cancellations, while LaGuardia had 42 delays and eight cancellations. John F. Kennedy International faced the highest impact, with 73 delays and 11 cancellations. Nationally, 8,531 flights were delayed and 480 were cancelled at the same time. The disruptions are expected to worsen throughout the day as conditions remain volatile. TSA checkpoints at Newark experienced wait times ranging from 1 to 12 minutes, depending on the terminal and gate, according to the airport’s real-time tracking system. The staffing crisis has been exacerbated by political gridlock, as Democrats have refused to fund U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement without operational reforms following the deaths of two U.S. citizens during an immigration campaign in Minneapolis.#department_of_homeland_security #transportation_security_administration #newark_liberty_international #laguardia_airport #john_f_kennedy_airport
