Why Did Hundreds of Flights Stall at Denver Airport Before New Year's Eve?
Key Points
- 1Over 350 flights were delayed at Denver International Airport on Monday.
- 2Southwest Airlines accounted for 151 of the flight delays, the most of any carrier.
- 3The disruptions follow nearly 900 delays on Sunday after 2.2 inches of snow fell at DIA.
The busy holiday travel season saw significant operational challenges. More than 350 flights were delayed at Denver International Airport (DIA) on Monday. These hundreds of flights delayed impacted travelers ahead of the New Year's Eve flight disruptions. The delays occurred as the peak travel period continued nationwide.
Operational Overview
As of Monday afternoon, 363 flights faced delays, according to FlightAware tracking software. Additionally, 11 flights were canceled at DIA. Roughly half of the delayed flights were inbound to Denver. The other half were scheduled to depart the major hub. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported no federal ground stops. General departure and arrival delays were 15 minutes or less.
This operational strain followed a difficult travel day prior. Nearly 900 flights were delayed on Sunday. Airport officials noted this was expected to be a very busy travel day. The previous day saw 2.2 inches of snow fall at the Denver airport.
Key Airline Impacts
Southwest Airlines delays accounted for the largest share of disruptions. Southwest delayed 151 flights in and out of Denver. This highlights the carrier's significant footprint at DIA.
- Southwest Airlines delayed 151 flights.
- SkyWest followed with 90 delayed flights.
- United reported 69 delayed flights.
- Frontier, Delta, and American Airlines saw fewer delays.
Regarding cancellations, Frontier removed four flights from its roster. Southwest Airlines canceled three flights. United canceled two flights. SkyWest and Delta each canceled one flight. These airline operational challenges affect crew and aircraft rotation.
Industry Context
Denver International Airport is a critical hub for western U.S. air traffic. Disruptions here create ripple effects across the national airspace. The high volume of passengers during the holiday travel season exacerbates issues. Even minor weather events can cause major delays. The FAA works closely with airlines to manage traffic flow. Travelers are advised to check flight status often for the latest commercial aviation news at [flying.flights]. This remains a developing story and may be updated.
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