Newark Airport was temporarily closed because a JetBlue flight had an engine problem shortly after takeoff, causing smoke in the cockpit and cabin and forcing an emergency landing and evacuation.

What happened

  • A JetBlue Airbus A320 (Flight 543) departed Newark in the early evening on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, heading to Florida.
  • Shortly after takeoff, the crew reported an engine issue and smoke in the cockpit and cabin.
  • The pilots returned to Newark and landed about 15–20 minutes after departure.
  • Passengers were evacuated on the taxiway using emergency slides as a precaution, with no injuries reported.

Why the airport was “closed”

  • Because of the emergency landing, smoke, and full evacuation on the taxiway, the FAA issued a ground stop and an air traffic controller announced that “Newark Airport is closed” to other aircraft.
  • This halted most arrivals and departures for roughly an hour to keep the airfield clear for responders and to ensure safety.

Is Newark still closed now?

  • Operations were later resumed the same evening, but with heavy delays and knock‑on disruptions to both arriving and departing flights.
  • Travelers are being advised in forum posts and news reports to check directly with their airline or the airport website for up‑to‑the‑minute status before heading to EWR.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.