Smoke from wildfires in Canada delayed flights at New York-area airports and in Philadelphia on Wednesday as haze blanketed the region and cut visibility.
Smoke drifting south from wildfires in Canada covered the New York City area on Tuesday into Wednesday, tainting air quality and sending residents indoors.
As of noon Wednesday, the city ranked fourth in the world for worst air quality, with an IQAir World Air Quality Index of 158, a level considered unhealthy for all residents.
As of mid-afternoon, 115 flights scheduled to fly to Newark, or around 18% of the day's total, were delayed, according to FlightAware.
Flights to LaGuardia were delayed an average of about 120 minutes, and flights to Newark were delayed an average of 82 minutes, according to the FAA.
Persons:
John F, —, Emma Newburger
Organizations:
FAA, Philadelphia International, New York's LaGuardia, New, LaGuardia, Kennedy International, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, CNBC, American Airlines
Locations:
Canada, New York, Philadelphia, East Coast, Midwest, New York City, U.S, Newark, LaGuardia