Arctic Cold Snap Grounds Hundreds of Flights at Denver International Airport?
Aviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience.
Denver International Airport (DIA) saw hundreds of flight delays and cancellations Friday as an arctic cold snap plunged temperatures well below freezing.
Key Takeaways
- •404 flight delays and 27 cancellations were reported at DIA as of Friday afternoon due to an arctic cold snap.
- •United Airlines, SkyWest Airlines, and Southwest Airlines accounted for the majority of the delays and cancellations.
- •Denver airport deicing operations began at 7 a.m.; the FAA did not issue any ground stops or ground delays.
- •Frigid temperatures are forecast to continue until Monday, posing ongoing challenges for ground and flight operations.
An arctic cold snap Denver caused major operational disruption on Friday. Hundreds of Denver International Airport flights were delayed or canceled. Frigid temperatures hit the Colorado Front Range and Eastern Plains. Denver International Airport (DIA) is a key hub for US air travel.
As of 3:15 p.m. Friday, FlightAware reported significant DIA flight delays. There were 404 delays and 27 cancellations total. This highlights the severe impact of the cold weather event.
Airline Operational Impact
Major US carriers experienced the brunt of the disruption. United Airlines reported the most delays, totaling 146. Regional carrier SkyWest Airlines followed with 116 delays. Southwest Airlines recorded 75 delays on Friday. Regional carriers are often disproportionately affected by such weather events.
Cancellations were lower than delays but still notable. Southwest Airlines canceled 11 flights. SkyWest Airlines reported nine flight cancellations. These United Airlines flight cancellations and Southwest Airlines delays ripple across the national network.
Aviation Winter Operations
Airport crews initiated Denver airport deicing operations early. Deicing started at 7 a.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA confirmed no ground stops or ground delays were active. This suggests runway conditions were maintained despite the extreme cold. Aircraft deicing is critical for safe flight operations.
Extreme cold affects ground crews and equipment. Personnel safety limits the time workers can spend outside. This increases the time needed for essential tasks like deicing. The process uses heated glycol mixtures to remove ice and frost.
Forecast and Outlook
The Colorado Front Range weather remains a concern for travelers. The National Weather Service forecasts dangerously low temperatures. Thermometers at DIA could drop to 3 degrees Friday night. They are expected to stay near 6 degrees Saturday night. Temperatures are not expected to rise above freezing until Monday. This prolonged cold snap suggests continued aviation winter operations challenges. Passengers should check their flight status before traveling to the airport.
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Written by Ujjwal Sukhwani
Aviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience. Covers flight operations, safety regulations, and market trends with expert analysis.
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