Why Did a Winter Storm Force 11,000+ U.S. Flight Cancellations and Airport Closures?

A massive winter storm, dubbed Winter Storm Fern, caused historic commercial aviation disruption across the United States over the weekend of January 24-25, 2026. The extreme weather led to a record number of U.S. winter storm flight cancellations and widespread major airport hub closures.

Flight-tracking data showed a severe impact on Sunday, January 25. Over 11,000 U.S. flights were canceled that day alone, according to FlightAware. Aviation analytics firm Cirium noted this was the highest single-day cancellation event since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Total cancellations across Saturday and Sunday exceeded 13,000 flights.

Aviation Industry Impact

The storm's path stretched from the Southern Rockies to New England, threatening over 180 million people. This widespread reach crippled operations at key facilities. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) canceled all departing flights for the day. New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA) closed Sunday afternoon, with over 90% of its flights canceled. Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) also saw a 94% cancellation rate.

Major carriers absorbed the majority of the operational shock. American Airlines (AA) canceled over 1,400 flights on Sunday. Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines also reported significant cancellations. This massive grounding creates a complex challenge for airline operational recovery. Re-positioning aircraft and crews will likely cause cascading delays for days.

Power Grid and Regulatory Action

Beyond air travel, the storm caused massive power outages. More than 1 million customers across the nation were without electricity at one point. States like Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana were among the hardest hit.

In Texas, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) took preventative action. The DOE emergency power order was issued for the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). This order, issued under Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act, authorizes ERCOT to deploy backup generation resources. This includes using generators at facilities like data centers. The goal is to mitigate the risk of blackouts during the extreme cold. This regulatory move highlights the critical infrastructure strain caused by Winter Storm Fern impact. The DOE action aims to prevent a repeat of past grid failures.

Outlook for Aviation Stakeholders

The FAA continues to coordinate with airports and airlines. They aim to manage air traffic flow as conditions improve. However, the sheer volume of record single-day cancellations means a swift return to normal is unlikely. Passengers are advised to check flight status directly with their airline. The aviation sector must now focus on restoring schedules and minimizing further disruption.

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