Due to a major winter storm expected to affect large parts of the United States, airlines cancelled more than 10,000 flights planned for the weekend. Following heavy snow and sleet, freezing temperatures are expected to take hold across the country.
More than 3,500 flights cancelled on Saturday
According to data from flight-tracking website FlightAware, more than 3,500 flights were cancelled on Saturday. The majority of cancellations were concentrated in Texas.
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport: Approximately 1,300 flight cancellations
- Dallas Love Field: 186 flight cancellations
These figures showed that a significant portion of the daily flight schedules at both airports was suspended.
American and Southwest among the most affected airlines
According to FlightAware:
- American Airlines cancelled 902 flights on Saturday, accounting for approximately 30% of its main operations.
- Southwest Airlines cancelled 571 flights, representing 19% of its services.
Cancellations doubled on Sunday
As the storm moved into the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, flight cancellations nearly doubled on Sunday, exceeding 7,000.
As of Saturday midday:
- A large number of flights scheduled from Raleigh-Durham International Airport in North Carolina to Portland, Maine were cancelled.
- Major southern airports, including Atlanta, one of Delta Air Lines’ main hubs, were also affected by the storm.
Most flights suspended in New York and Washington
On Sunday:
- More than 80% of flights at New York LaGuardia Airport,
- And 90% of flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport were cancelled.
At Newark Liberty International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport, which host more international flights, approximately half of all flights were cancelled.
Airlines waive fees for passengers
Many US airlines, including American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest and United Airlines, announced that for passengers holding tickets to and from more than 40 airports they had waived:
- Change and cancellation fees,
- Fare differences normally required for rebooking.
It was stated that this policy also applies to normally restrictive ticket types such as basic economy.
“A fast and safe recovery is targeted”
American Airlines announced that it had repositioned its aircraft and increased staffing levels at major airports to mitigate the impact of the storm. The company emphasised that these measures aim to ensure a “fast and safe recovery once weather conditions improve”.
Critical warning from the National Weather Service
The National Weather Service (NWS) warned that the winter storm could affect hundreds of millions of people. The statement said that until Monday, a wide area stretching from the Southern Rockies to New England is expected to experience:
- Heavy snow,
- Sleet,
- Freezing rain.
