Why Did Winter Storm Fern Cause Record US Flight Cancellations and Delays?

The massive Winter Storm Fern has severely disrupted North American air travel. This Arctic cold weather impact stretches from New Mexico to Maine. By Sunday afternoon, US flight cancellations hit record high numbers.

FlightAware data shows 11,016 total flights were canceled. This is the highest cancellation total since the pandemic began. The storm started on Friday, moving gradually eastward. Saturday saw 4,104 cancellations, up from 690 Friday. Another 2,465 flights are already canceled for Monday.

Operational Impact on US Flight Disruptions

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported numerous ground delays. Ground delays at Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW) exceeded two hours. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport also faced long delays. The FAA uses FAA ground stops to manage severe capacity issues. This includes airport or runway closures for snow removal.

Several airports saw complete closures due to the storm. New York City’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA) was shut down. Closures affected airports across 12 states, including Texas and Illinois.

Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International (ATL) was hit hard. More than 10% of total cancellations were at this busy hub. Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) saw similar impacts. Roughly 10% of impacted flights were at the North Carolina hub.

Airline and Passenger Fallout

American Airlines (AA) was the most affected carrier. Nearly 50% of its scheduled flights were canceled. Another 17% of American Airlines flights faced delays. Delta Air Lines (DL) was the close second. Delta reported 1,449 cancellations and 451 delays.

Major airlines issued passenger travel advisories early on. These waivers allow customers to change flights without fees. Passengers whose flights are canceled due to weather are due a full refund. This is mandated under U.S. Department of Transportation rules.

Recovery Challenges

The storm is expected to move out by Monday. However, frigid temperatures and icy conditions will persist. New York City's mayor noted the sustained cold will be severe. Arctic cold weather impact complicates ground operations. Repositioning aircraft and flight crews will take time. Industry experts warn that the network recovery will be slow. Lingering effects will likely cause more US flight disruptions this week.

• Over 11,000 US flights were canceled by Sunday due to Winter Storm Fern.
• American Airlines and Delta Air Lines faced the highest percentage of cancellations.
• The Federal Aviation Administration issued ground stops and closures at major hubs.
• Frigid temperatures are expected to slow the operational recovery into the new week.

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