​Phoenix Sky Harbor: FAA ground delay as Thursday storms hit the Valley

On Thursday 22 October 2026, the FAA ran a ground delay program for Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) because of thunderstorms across metro Phoenix, while a severe thunderstorm watch raised the risk of hail and a possible tornado. FAA status logs show the weather program starting about 6:30 a.m. local time and lasting roughly 4 hours 46 minutes, with average arrival delays near 40 minutes. KTAR reported the Sky Harbor site listing 218 delayed flights at 8:45 a.m., still about 190 by 2 p.m., as inbound average delay eased from roughly 39 minutes to 15 minutes. A separate runway change added gate and taxi delays of 16 to 30 minutes for departures. This is a new storm wave after the 13 October low-ceiling ground stop already covered.

What travellers saw

When PHX is metered for thunderstorms, morning banks stack up and residual weather plus runway changes can keep taxis long after the GDP ends. Carriers and the airport site remain the source of truth for individual flights; desert cells can rebuild and re-trigger holds.

If the schedule is critical

If you cannot wait for the weather program and residual delays to clear, a private jet or empty leg into an alternate Arizona field may be workable once the airspace reopens. Rahizi qualifies the brief and returns partner options.

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Facts from KTAR News, Azcentral / The Arizona Republic, and FAA NAS status coverage of the 22 October 2026 thunderstorm delays at PHX. Always verify with your carrier.