As Winter Storm Blair continues to wreak havoc across much of the United States, airlines are facing significant operational disruptions. By Monday afternoon, nearly 1,900 flights had been canceled, and thousands more experienced delays, according to data from flight tracking website FlightAware. The National Weather Service has issued warnings regarding a 'major disruptive' winter storm affecting areas from the Ohio Valley to the Mid-Atlantic, resulting in severe travel delays that many passengers are currently facing.
Forecasts indicate that by Tuesday evening, light snow will extend into parts of the Central and Southern High Plains. Furthermore, additional upper-level energy is expected to move onshore in the Pacific Northwest, leading to light coastal rain and heightened snowfall at higher elevations by Tuesday evening into Wednesday. In terms of specific airline impacts, Southwest Airlines reported the highest numbers, with 432 cancellations and 681 delays, showcasing the storm's immediate effect on operations.
American Airlines faced 190 cancellations alongside 664 delays, highlighting its vulnerability to weather-related disruptions. Meanwhile, United Airlines encountered 100 cancellations and 476 delays, while Delta Air Lines recorded 49 cancellations and 281 delays. Southwest Airlines proactively issued a travel advisory, informing travelers that its service schedule might face interruptions from Saturday through Tuesday due to the adverse conditions caused by the storm.
They emphasized a strategy to preemptively manage flight schedules to correspond with the reduced capacity at airports affected by Winter Storm Blair. Both Southwest and American Airlines have communicated to impacted customers that they can rebook their flights without incurring change fees, a generous concession aimed at minimizing passenger inconvenience during these tumultuous times. Delta Airlines took a cautious approach as well, canceling several flights in anticipation of the inclement weather.
A spokesperson indicated that they would resume normal service once weather and operational conditions improved, coupled with a travel waiver issued for certain cities across the central US to accommodate affected passengers. United Airlines has similarly enacted waivers for passengers experiencing disruptions, with their operations team closely monitoring weather developments throughout the central US and Mid-Atlantic regions to ensure safety and efficiency moving forward..