Severe Storms Disrupt Phoenix Flights, Divert Planes to Tucson

Severe thunderstorms across the Phoenix area on Friday triggered multi‑hour FAA ground stops at Phoenix Sky Harbor, making it the most delayed airport worldwide and causing widespread cancellations, diversions and extended delays. Sky Harbor reported damaging winds up to 56 mph and about 1.5 inches of rain, and departures within roughly 1,000 nautical miles were held, producing delays of about 75 minutes or more. About 15–16 flights were diverted to Tucson International Airport, overwhelming that airport and producing cancellations and long rental‑car waitlists that left travelers stranded. The storms also disrupted travel in Las Vegas, where Harry Reid International implemented a ground stop, departures averaged roughly 45‑minute delays, and power outages and flash‑flood warnings affected the valley. By late evening Phoenix had begun releasing flights and Tucson expected to clear diverted flights back while airlines and rental agencies worked to prioritize reservations and get travelers moving again.