A fast-moving winter storm swept across the U.S. Northeast and Midwest on January 17, 2026, forcing ground-stops at New York’s John F. Kennedy (JFK), LaGuardia (LGA) and Newark-Liberty (EWR) airports as well as Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Midway (MDW). At the height of the storm, Port Authority officials halted all inbound traffic at NY-area airports while the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued ground delays of up to four hours for outgoing flights. Chicago briefly suspended departures after 6.9 inches of snow fell— the city’s heaviest single-day total in more than a decade. Airlines pre-emptively canceled or delayed more than 2,000 domestic and international flights to keep aircraft and crew out of the worst conditions.
For global mobility managers, the knock-on effects will be felt well into next week as equipment and crews reposition and as travelers attempt to re-book. Companies with time-sensitive projects should verify whether key employees can shift to secondary airports (e.g., Philadelphia, Milwaukee) or virtual alternatives. Mobility teams should also watch for further weather bands forecast for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday period, which could extend disruptions at least through January 20.
![Blizzard Grounds Hundreds of Flights at Major U.S. Hubs]()
Amid the scramble to adjust itineraries, VisaHQ can be a valuable ally: its online platform lets travelers and corporate mobility teams confirm whether rerouting or extended layovers will affect visa validity and, when necessary, to expedite new travel documents for alternative destinations—helping keep critical trips on track. Learn more at https://www.visahq.com/united-states/.
Airport authorities advise travelers to reconfirm flight status before leaving for the airport and to build in additional time for de-icing procedures. Employers may wish to remind assignees that airlines must refund unused ancillary fees (such as seat assignments and baggage) when flights are canceled, but compensation for lodging is carrier-specific. Travel-risk providers suggest ensuring that expatriates and short-term business travelers enroll in airline notification apps and the State Department’s STEP system to receive real-time updates.
The storm underscores a broader trend: extreme winter weather has become one of the top three causes of U.S. flight disruption, alongside air-traffic–control staffing shortages and aircraft maintenance delays. Corporate travel programs should review business-continuity plans that allow critical employees to shift to rail or videoconference options when Northeast Corridor air links are compromised.
For global mobility managers, the knock-on effects will be felt well into next week as equipment and crews reposition and as travelers attempt to re-book. Companies with time-sensitive projects should verify whether key employees can shift to secondary airports (e.g., Philadelphia, Milwaukee) or virtual alternatives. Mobility teams should also watch for further weather bands forecast for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday period, which could extend disruptions at least through January 20.
Amid the scramble to adjust itineraries, VisaHQ can be a valuable ally: its online platform lets travelers and corporate mobility teams confirm whether rerouting or extended layovers will affect visa validity and, when necessary, to expedite new travel documents for alternative destinations—helping keep critical trips on track. Learn more at https://www.visahq.com/united-states/.
Airport authorities advise travelers to reconfirm flight status before leaving for the airport and to build in additional time for de-icing procedures. Employers may wish to remind assignees that airlines must refund unused ancillary fees (such as seat assignments and baggage) when flights are canceled, but compensation for lodging is carrier-specific. Travel-risk providers suggest ensuring that expatriates and short-term business travelers enroll in airline notification apps and the State Department’s STEP system to receive real-time updates.
The storm underscores a broader trend: extreme winter weather has become one of the top three causes of U.S. flight disruption, alongside air-traffic–control staffing shortages and aircraft maintenance delays. Corporate travel programs should review business-continuity plans that allow critical employees to shift to rail or videoconference options when Northeast Corridor air links are compromised.
