Miami International Airport (MIA) turned deadly on Sunday after an Amazon cargo plane overran the runway, struck multiple vehicles, and burst into flames, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky and triggering a temporary halt to airport operations.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the disabled aircraft on the runway delayed “departures at MIA are delayed on average by over six hours (384 minutes) due to disabled aircraft on the runway.”
FAA Briefly ‘Ground Stops’ All Flights At Miami International Airport Over Amazon Plane Crash
The Boeing 767-300 cargo aircraft flying for Amazon Prime Air Flight 7598 had arrived in MIA from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, when it caught fire, striking vehicles at the airport’s diagonal runway, which resulted in the death of at least five people and three in critical condition, while two others were hospitalized with less severe injuries.
The FAA’s Air Traffic Control System Command Center swiftly issued an advisory to ground stop all flights at MIA, as the agency investigates. At this time, MIA also issued an alert on its website about the incident. Two of its four runways are currently open, but airport authorities said they’re still “experiencing impacts from this incident.”
“Passengers with flights scheduled today should check directly with their airline for flight status updates before heading to the airport,” reads MIA’s alert.
The Associated Press reports that more than 160 flights were canceled and nearly 325 were delayed by late Sunday, as per FlightAware’s live tracking data.
Flight Data For Miami International Airport (September 6, 2026)
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Canceled Flights: |
More than 160 |
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Delayed Flights: |
325 |
At this time, FlightAware shows that MIA has 39 cancellations for both departures and arrivals, as of September 6, 2026, at 11 p.m. ET.
After the crash, around 84 out of 100 inbound flights were diverted to other U.S. airports, according to live flight tracker Flightradar, tagging MIA as the “most disrupted airport” as of today, with 13% canceled and 36% delayed flights. Officials at Orlando International Airport (MCO), which is more than 200 miles north of Miami, said that some flights were diverted there.
MIA is one of the busiest international cargo airports in the U.S. and is American Airlines’ third-largest hub, serving as its primary gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean. The incident came on the heels of American Airlines’ warning to its 3.5 million passengers after thousands of holiday disruptions, as Labor Day weekend travel continues to intensify at U.S. airports.
TheTravel reached out to the FAA and Miami International Airport for comment.
Plane Crash At Miami International Airport Adds Pressure To Busy Holiday Travel Period
The deadly plane crash at MIA came as travelers were starting to get busy during the Labor Day weekend travel period, creating another disruption at a time when airports across the country were handling increased passenger traffic.
This includes two Dallas airports that top the list of hubs at risk for Labor Day delays: Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL). Even Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) was hit by thousands of delays ahead of Labor Day weekend.
Other U.S. airports are also working on their operational challenges, including Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), facing some delays ahead of Labor Day weekend.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) also warned Labor Day weekend travelers about baggage inspection to allow extra time for checking their luggage so as not to delay security screenings.
With MIA serving as a major gateway for domestic and international trips, the disruption could leave travelers facing extended delays, cancellations, and missed connections as airlines work to get back to normal schedules after the deadly Amazon cargo plane crash.
What The Amazon Plane Crash At Miami International Airport Means For Travelers
Disruptions at MIA continue even after airport operations resume, as airlines work to reposition aircraft and passengers. Airport officials have also alerted travelers that, despite opening two of its four runways, the impact of the incident remains.
The plane crash occurred at a time when thousands of passengers were busy going back and forth at U.S. airports to catch their flights, and the incident could have consequences for travelers well beyond the immediate emergency response.
Travelers should check with their airline for updates on their flight status before heading out to MIA, as airport authorities grapple with the aftermath of the deadly crash that killed five people and injured another five.
The FAA may have temporarily shut down all flights at MIA, but the impact of the crash extends beyond the time itself, with a backlog of flights that could take hours to clear.
With delays and cancellations affecting flights in and out of Miami International Airport, passengers may face changes to their travel itineraries, missed connections, and longer waits as airlines and airport officials work to reposition aircraft and accommodate travelers affected by the Labor Day weekend disruption.
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