Winter Storm Causes Chaos for US Airlines: Over 2,000 Flights Cancelled

A massive winter storm wreaked havoc on Friday, disrupting air travel across 12 states in the United States. More than 2,000 flights were cancelled, and an additional 5,846 faced delays as of 5:30 p.m. ET, as reported by the flight-tracking website FlightAware.

Southwest Airlines Tops Cancellation List

Leading the list of cancellations was Southwest Airlines, with 401 flights grounded, followed closely by SkyWest at 358. The adverse weather conditions prompted Delta Air Lines to acknowledge potential operational challenges in the Midwest.

Impacted Cities and Travel Warnings

In a travel advisory, Southwest Airlines highlighted potential disruptions in flights operating in Chicago, Detroit, and Omaha. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued warnings on Thursday about possible delays due to clouds, snow, and wind at specific airports.

United Airlines Faces Ongoing Challenges

United Airlines has cancelled 284 flights, with some disruptions extending into Saturday. The airline awaits regulatory approval to resume operating Boeing’s 737 MAX 9 jets.

United assured passengers that it was implementing contingency plans by operating some planned flights with alternative aircraft types.

FAA Launches Investigation on Boeing 737 MAX 9

In a related development, the FAA initiated a formal investigation into the Boeing 737 MAX 9 after a cabin panel detachment incident on an Alaska Airlines flight last week, leading to an emergency landing.

The investigation further adds to the challenges faced by airlines already grappling with weather-related disruptions.

Stay tuned for further updates as airlines work to recover from this significant winter storm’s impact on the aviation industry.