A federal judge grounded Northeastern Airways.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Sydney M. Weaver grounded Northeastern International Airlines by ordering it to return its four Boeing 727 passenger planes to its aircraft leasing company after the carrier said it could not pay the $1.3 million it owed for the planes. Weaver imposed a Monday afternoon deadline for the carrier to pay Guiness Peat Aviation or surrender its leased aircraft after GPA complained that the airline was long overdue on its lease payments. Northeastern filed for protection from its creditors under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code on Jan. 8.