Newark Airport Temporarily Shuttered Due to 'Aircraft Emergency'

All flights grounded as officials work to remove plane from taxiway after engine failure incident.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Newark Liberty International Airport was suddenly shut down on Wednesday evening due to a reported 'aircraft emergency' that caused all flight operations to be temporarily suspended. The incident appears to have been caused by an engine failure on a JetBlue flight headed for Palm Beach, Florida that turned around and landed back at the airport.

Why it matters

The sudden closure of a major airport like Newark Liberty is highly disruptive, causing delays and cancellations that can impact thousands of travelers. This type of incident raises questions about aviation safety and the procedures in place to handle in-flight emergencies at busy transportation hubs.

The details

The airport issued a travel advisory stating that all flight operations were temporarily suspended while an aircraft was removed from the taxiway due to an earlier incident. A ground stop was originally in place from 5:42 p.m. to 7 p.m. for an 'aircraft emergency' that appeared to be caused by an engine failure on a JetBlue flight headed for Palm Beach, Florida. The plane was taking off from Newark Airport but turned around and landed back on the tarmac just 40 minutes into the journey.

  • The airport was shut down from around 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
  • The initial ground stop was in place from 5:42 p.m. to 7 p.m. on February 18, 2026.

The players

Newark Liberty International Airport

A major international airport serving the New York metropolitan area, located in Newark, New Jersey.

JetBlue

A major American low-cost airline and one of the carriers operating flights out of Newark Airport.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The airport is expected to reopen by 11 p.m. ET once the aircraft is removed from the taxiway.

The takeaway

The sudden closure of a major airport hub like Newark Liberty highlights the potential for significant disruptions to air travel when unexpected incidents occur, underscoring the importance of robust emergency protocols and safety measures at transportation hubs.