FAA Daily Air Traffic Report, August 27, 2025
Thunderstorms across multiple regions, gusty winds in New York, and low clouds in San Francisco are shaping the national airspace on August 27, 2025. The FAA's morning outlook highlights a proposed ground delay program for Denver International Airport (DEN), possible programs later at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), and route controls tied to a Grand Turk radar outage affecting Caribbean flows. Travelers should expect pop-up gate holds, revised routings, and extended taxi times this afternoon and evening.
Key Points
- Why it matters: Systemwide weather and staffing constraints can ripple into missed connections and rolling delays.
- Travel impact: Proposed GDP for Denver, potential ground stops in South Florida and New York, plus oceanic reroutes.
- What's next: FAA will reassess after midday planning calls, adjusting programs as storms evolve.
- Caribbean routing: Grand Turk radar outage driving Airspace Flow Programs and route packages.
- New York winds: EWR references delayed to align with forecasted gusts.
Snapshot
The FAA Operations Plan for August 27 calls out thunderstorms for Miami International Airport (MIA), Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), Denver International Airport (DEN), Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), and Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC). Low clouds are noted at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), with gusty winds expected around John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). A Grand Turk radar outage adds Caribbean constraints, while Lake Erie airspace restrictions and potential Gulf route closures complicate evening flows. For yesterday's context, see our FAA Daily Air Traffic Report for August 26, 2025.
Background
The FAA daily air traffic report is the agency's service-bulletin for travelers and industry, summarizing where weather, winds, or equipment can disrupt schedules. When conditions compress arrival rates, the Air Traffic Control System Command Center can issue a Ground Delay Program, or GDP, which metes out Estimated Departure Clearance Times, or EDCTs, to smooth inbound demand. In convective weather, Command Center may publish reroutes, miles-in-trail restrictions, or Airspace Flow Programs that cap traffic into constrained sectors. These tools reduce airborne holding, but they can lengthen taxi-out times and connection risks. Today's plan also flags select runway and taxiway closures, plus commercial space operations that may trigger brief, localized airspace constraints.
Latest Developments
Denver considers a GDP for low visibility
A Collaborative Decision Making, or CDM, advisory proposes a GDP for Denver International Airport (DEN) from 900 a.m. to 159 p.m. CDT, citing weather and low visibility. The advisory estimates a maximum arrival delay of about 196 minutes, averaging about 38 minutes, with rates gradually increasing through the afternoon. Airlines will receive EDCTs for Denver-bound departures, including some Canadian origins, which can cascade into longer turn times on the outbound leg. The Command Center also scheduled a GDP conference to reassess visibility and surface-movement guidance availability around midday. If the ceiling and visibility improve, rates could rise and delays ease. If storms redevelop on the Front Range, planners could extend, adjust, or replace a GDP with other initiatives.
East and West Coast watch: NYC winds, SFO low clouds
Gusty winds around John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) are on the afternoon watch list. Planners nudged the EWR reference to after 1200 p.m. CDT to better match the forecast wind window, with another check later in the evening. On the West Coast, low ceilings at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) may trigger a ground stop or delay program after 1000 a.m. CDT if arrival rates compress under instrument conditions. In both metros, short-fuse initiatives are possible, including miles-in-trail restrictions or tailored reroutes to manage peak bank conflicts. Travelers connecting through these hubs should monitor airline alerts and expect gate-hold stretches during push periods.
Caribbean and Gulf routes: Grand Turk radar outage
Airspace Flow Programs, denoted FCAGT1 and FCAGT3, are active due to a Grand Turk radar outage, with an associated route package controlling flows across the northern Caribbean. The plan also lists oceanic route L456 closed for thunderstorms, a Lake Erie West Partial flow constraint for reduced Canadian capacity, and possible Gulf of Mexico route closures into the evening. These measures can lengthen block times for flights bridging Florida, San Juan, and island gateways, and they may force uncommon routings that add fuel and minutes. Miami International Airport (MIA), Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), and Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) could see short ground stops after 12:00 p.m. CDT if convective cells regenerate along departure gates.
Analysis
Today's setup blends convective weather, coastal winds, and a targeted equipment outage, a combination that often produces rolling rather than uniform delays. The proposed GDP for Denver International Airport (DEN) is a classic visibility-driven throttle that protects arrival spacing while minimizing airborne holding. Because EDCTs are assigned at origin airports, passengers on Denver-bound flights from hubs like Dallas, Chicago, or Phoenix may push late even under blue skies. On the East Coast, crosswinds at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and its New York peers tend to compress runway configurations, reducing arrival acceptance rates, then spilling congestion into gate areas during banked peaks. Low clouds at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) are another familiar limiter, especially when parallel approaches are curtailed under instrument rules. The Grand Turk radar outage adds trans-Caribbean friction, increasing the likelihood of reroutes and capping flows through key sectors. The result for travelers is variability by hour and airport, with the largest risk falling on tight connections, last flights of the day, and regional links feeding constrained hubs. Build buffer time, consider earlier departures, and keep an eye on rebooking windows if your itinerary crosses these pinch points.
Final Thoughts
Expect a patchwork of delays as storms pulse and winds shift. If you are Denver-bound, watch for EDCTs and pad connections. If you are transiting New York or San Francisco, allow extra time for weather-related metering. Caribbean-bound travelers should anticipate atypical routings while the Grand Turk radar work continues. Check airline apps often, and use airport Wi-Fi to refresh gate and departure times. A cautious plan today will help you navigate what the FAA daily air traffic report signals across the network.