Record High Flight Cancellations as Winter Storm Intensifies
As Winter Storm Fern ravages North America, air travel has plummeted to unprecedented lows due to extreme weather conditions. The storm has led to record flight cancellations, dramatically affecting airports across the country.
Record High Flight Cancellations from Winter Storm Fern
As of 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, more than 11,000 flights in the United States have been canceled, according to FlightAware. This figure marks the largest number of cancellations since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The storm, which commenced on Friday, has resulted in a staggering escalation of cancellations from just 690 on Friday to 4,104 on Saturday.
Ongoing Impact on Flights
The adverse effects of the storm are expected to continue into Monday, with an additional 2,465 cancellations anticipated. Notably affected airports include:
- Boston Logan International Airport
- New York City region’s major airports
- Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport
- Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport
- New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport
Travel Disruptions and Ground Delays
Ground delays are widespread, with delays exceeding two hours reported at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and Dallas Fort Worth Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has warned of potential ground stops at other major airports, including:
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
- Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport
Many states, including Mississippi, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Illinois, and New York, have reported airport closures due to the storm’s severity. New York City’s LaGuardia Airport also faced significant disruptions.
Severe Weather Conditions
Frigid temperatures and icy conditions are expected to linger beyond the storm’s immediate effects. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani highlighted the severe cold, stating it is the most sustained period of cold temperatures seen in eight years.
Georgia has been particularly hard hit, with nearly 80,000 households experiencing power outages. Additionally, the Charlotte Area Transit System in North Carolina suspended all services until Monday morning, echoing similar measures in New Jersey.
Airline-Specific Impacts
Among the airlines, American Airlines has suffered the most severe impacts, canceling 50% of its scheduled flights. Delta Air Lines follows closely behind, with 1,449 cancellations and 451 delays.
The combination of snowy conditions and icy temperatures has made air travel risky and complicated, illustrating the significant impact of Winter Storm Fern on the nation’s transportation system.
