US Winter Storm Grounds 15,000 Flights; Is This the Worst Post-Pandemic Disruption?

A severe US winter storm has caused widespread commercial aviation disruption across the country. The massive weather event has resulted in more than 15,000 total flight cancellations over the weekend. Aviation analytics firm Cirium stated Sunday was the highest cancellation event since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The storm’s path stretched roughly 3,000 km (1,864 miles). It affected nearly 190 million people, over half the US population. The severe weather also left close to a million households without power.

Unprecedented Operational Disruption

Sunday saw the peak of the travel chaos. More than 10,800 flights were cancelled that day alone. This figure represents the largest single-day disruption since March 2020. The storm brought heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain. This created extremely dangerous travel conditions across many states. Numerous states declared a state of emergency.

Major Airport Hubs Crippled

Operations at several major airport hubs were severely impacted. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) temporarily closed New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA). The airport saw 91% of its flights cancelled. Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) cancelled 94% of its scheduled flights. All departing flights were cancelled at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). This accounted for about 420 flights. Significant disruptions also hit Atlanta, Charlotte, and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) also faced major delays.

Airline Networks Under Stress

US carriers were forced to execute extensive preemptive cancellations. This was done to protect passengers and crew. American Airlines cancelled over 1,400 flights on Sunday. This represented about 46% of its total scheduled flights. Delta Air Lines reported more than 1,300 cancellations. Southwest Airlines cancelled over 1,260 flights for the day. JetBlue faced the steepest cut, cancelling roughly 71% of its schedule. United Airlines also cancelled about 900 flights. These actions highlight the US airline operational meltdown caused by the storm.

Recovery Outlook and Passenger Impact

The widespread flight disruption is expected to take days to resolve. Experts noted that cascading delays will continue to affect the network. Airlines have issued travel waivers to offer flexibility to customers. Passengers are urged to check their flight status before traveling to the airport. Over 1,800 US flights were already cancelled for Monday. Airport operations teams are working to clear snow and treat surfaces. The continuing cold spell threatens further delays.

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