Storms Disrupt Flights at BWI-Marshall Airport

Ground stop issued as travelers face delays and cancellations

Mar. 17, 2026 at 3:06pm

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Several flights were delayed or canceled at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport on Monday after storms passed through the region. The airport issued a ground stop for a period of time, leading to disruptions for travelers trying to reach their destinations.

Why it matters

Severe weather can significantly impact air travel, causing frustration and inconvenience for passengers. The ground stop at BWI-Marshall highlights the challenges airports and airlines face in managing operations during disruptive weather events.

The details

According to an airport spokesman, the ground stop was an air traffic management program, and flights were still arriving and departing during this time. The ground stop was eventually lifted around 4:30 p.m. Travelers reported multiple flight delays and cancellations, with some passengers having their flights changed several times due to the storms.

  • The ground stop was issued on Monday, March 17, 2026.
  • The ground stop was lifted around 4:30 p.m. on March 17, 2026.

The players

BWI-Marshall Airport

The Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, a major airport serving the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area.

Dawnyell Bowen

A traveler passing through BWI-Marshall Airport who experienced multiple flight delays and cancellations due to the storms.

Adrien Brezinsky

A traveler passing through BWI-Marshall Airport who also experienced flight changes due to the storms.

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What they’re saying

“I was actually in Memphis, and I had a flight that was canceled after being delayed for multiple hours. They put me on another flight for today that was supposed to come up here at noon that got delayed. I just landed, and now the flight for today that I'm on to go to Orlando tonight is delayed again.”

— Dawnyell Bowen (WBAL-TV 11 News)

“They changed the flights a multitude of times. We're just happy that it's not tomorrow morning, like it's showing.”

— Adrien Brezinsky (WBAL-TV 11 News)

What’s next

The airport and airlines will continue to monitor the weather and make adjustments to flight schedules as needed to ensure the safety and convenience of travelers.

The takeaway

The disruptions at BWI-Marshall Airport highlight the importance of resilient air travel infrastructure and the need for airports and airlines to have robust contingency plans in place to manage the impact of severe weather events on their operations.