ReportWire

Tag: Flight Cancellations

  • Passengers at DC-area airports hopeful flights will take off after snowy travel nightmares – WTOP News

    [ad_1]

    Passengers at the D.C. region’s three airports are optimistic their flights will fly Monday, after the weekend’s snow, sleet and ongoing brutal cold temperatures.

    This page contains a video which is being blocked by your ad blocker.
    In order to view the video you must disable your ad blocker.

    Thousands of passengers stuck at airport after weekend storm

    Passengers at the D.C. region’s three major airports are optimistic their flights will take off Monday, after the weekend’s snow, sleet and ongoing brutal cold temperatures.

    “It’s 70 degrees in Phoenix, we’re looking forward to going home,” said one teacher at Dulles International Airport, who had stayed in the D.C. area longer than expected after a school trip.

    “We had a little mishap,” said her student. “I didn’t get my ticket, and she had to stay behind.”

    After rebooking their flight, “Ten minutes before we were supposed to board, all the flights in the airport got canceled,” the student said.

    “We had to change flights twice or three times, and rebook a hotel on the phone apps,” the teacher said.

    One business traveler heading to Los Angeles had to travel back and forth to Dulles several times since Saturday.

    “There were a lot of delays and cancellations,” he said. “We didn’t really plan for the weather and we got a few days of delay.”

    Another passenger, who held a ticket for a Monday morning flight to Korea, had spent the past several days holding her breath.

    “I was a little bit concerned, but since my flight is this morning and the peak was yesterday, I was hopeful that it won’t be affected too much,” she said.

    She said many international fliers book flights months in advance, “when they don’t have any idea what’s going to happen in terms of the weather — so a week before, you tend to check the weather app.”

    What will the weather be like when she gets to Korea?

    “As cold as here, but it’s not snowing right now,” she smiled.

    Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.

    © 2026 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

    [ad_2]

    Neal Augenstein

    Source link

  • Colossal winter storm kills at least 18; hundreds of thousands without power across US

    [ad_1]

    The workweek opened with yet more snow dumping on the Northeast under the tail end of a colossal winter storm that brought lingering misery to parts of the South, where freezing rain left hundreds of thousands shivering without electricity Monday. Authorities reported at least 18 weather-related deaths.Deep snow — over a foot extending in a 1,300-mile swath from Arkansas to New England — halted traffic, canceled flights and triggered wide school closures Monday. Up to two feet were forecast in some of the harder-hit places.There were more than 800,000 power outages in the nation on Monday morning, according to poweroutage.com. Most of them were in the South, where weekend blasts of freezing rain caused tree limbs and power lines to snap, inflicting crippling outages on northern Mississippi and parts of Tennessee.Utility officials in New Albany, Mississippi, said some homes and businesses could be without electricity for at least a week. In nearby Oxford, where most residents and University of Mississippi students were without power Monday, Mayor Robyn Tannehill said on social media that so many trees, limbs and power lines had fallen that “it looks like a tornado went down every street.”“Apparently, the new status symbol in this town is having electricity,” said Marshall Ramsey, a University of Mississippi journalism professor whose family was running a generator at their Oxford home Monday to power a space heater and keep phones charged.A pair of burly, falling tree branches damaged real estate agent Tim Phillips’ new garage, broke a window and cut off power to his home in Oxford. He said half of his neighbors had homes or vehicles damaged.“It’s just one of those things that you try to prepare for,” Phillips said, “but this one was just unreal.”The U.S. had more than 6,400 flight delays and cancellations nationwide Monday, according to flight tracker flightaware.com.More light to moderate snow was forecast in New England through Monday evening.New York City saw its snowiest day in years, with 11 inches falling on Central Park. Main roads throughout the city were largely clear Monday morning, but pedestrians had to plod through snow on some sidewalks and multiple subway lines with above-ground tracks saw delays.Bitter cold grips much of the nationMeanwhile, bitter cold followed in the storm’s wake. It got down to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit in parts of Minnesota on Sunday. Many communities across the Midwest, South, and Northeast awakened Monday to subzero weather. The entire Lower 48 states were forecast to have their coldest average low temperature of minus 9.8 F — since January 2014.Record warmth in Florida was the only thing keeping that average from going even colder, said former National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration chief scientist Ryan Maue, who calculates national averages based on National Weather Service data.From Montana to the Florida Panhandle, the weather service posted cold weather advisories and extreme cold warnings as temperatures in many places dipped to zero and even colder. Wind made conditions even chillier and the overnight cold refoze roads early Monday in a cruel reprise of the weekend’s lousy travel weather.Even with precipitation ending in Mississippi, “that doesn’t mean the danger is behind us,” Gov. Tate Reeves said in a news conference Sunday.Freezing rain that slickened roads and brought trees and branches down on roads and power lines were the main peril in the South over the weekend. In Corinth, Mississippi, heavy machinery manufacturer Caterpillar told employees at its remanufacturing site to stay home Monday and Tuesday.It already was Mississippi’s worst ice storm since 1994 with its biggest-ever deployment of ice-melting chemicals — 200,000 gallons — plus salt and sand to treat icy roads, Reeves said. He urged people not to drive anywhere unless absolutely necessary. “Do please reach out to friends and family,” Reeves added.At one point Sunday morning, about 213 million people were under some sort of winter weather warning, authorities said.Some 12,000 flights also were canceled Sunday and nearly 20,000 were delayed.Storm leads to deaths in a number of statesIn New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said at least five people who died were found outside as temperatures plunged Saturday, though the cause of their deaths remained under investigation. Two men died of hypothermia related to the storm in Caddo Parish in Louisiana, according to the state health department.In Massachusetts, police said a snowplow backed into a couple walking in a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority parking lot in Norwood on Sunday. A 51-year-old woman was killed and her 47-year-old husband was hospitalized.Two teenagers died in sledding accidents, a 17-year-old boy in Arkansas, and a 16-year-old girl in Texas, authorities said.Three weather-related deaths were announced in Tennessee, authorities said. Further details were not immediately available.___Amy reported from Atlanta. Bynum reported from Savannah, Georgia. AP journalists Charlotte Kramon in Atlanta; Jonathan Mattise in Nashville, Tennessee; Kath McCormack in Concord, New Hampshire; David Caruso in New York; Julie Carr Smyth in Columbus, Ohio; Sara Cline in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Heather Hollingsworth in Mission, Kansas, contributed to this story.

    The workweek opened with yet more snow dumping on the Northeast under the tail end of a colossal winter storm that brought lingering misery to parts of the South, where freezing rain left hundreds of thousands shivering without electricity Monday. Authorities reported at least 18 weather-related deaths.

    Deep snow — over a foot extending in a 1,300-mile swath from Arkansas to New England — halted traffic, canceled flights and triggered wide school closures Monday. Up to two feet were forecast in some of the harder-hit places.

    There were more than 800,000 power outages in the nation on Monday morning, according to poweroutage.com. Most of them were in the South, where weekend blasts of freezing rain caused tree limbs and power lines to snap, inflicting crippling outages on northern Mississippi and parts of Tennessee.

    Utility officials in New Albany, Mississippi, said some homes and businesses could be without electricity for at least a week. In nearby Oxford, where most residents and University of Mississippi students were without power Monday, Mayor Robyn Tannehill said on social media that so many trees, limbs and power lines had fallen that “it looks like a tornado went down every street.”

    “Apparently, the new status symbol in this town is having electricity,” said Marshall Ramsey, a University of Mississippi journalism professor whose family was running a generator at their Oxford home Monday to power a space heater and keep phones charged.

    A pair of burly, falling tree branches damaged real estate agent Tim Phillips’ new garage, broke a window and cut off power to his home in Oxford. He said half of his neighbors had homes or vehicles damaged.

    “It’s just one of those things that you try to prepare for,” Phillips said, “but this one was just unreal.”

    The U.S. had more than 6,400 flight delays and cancellations nationwide Monday, according to flight tracker flightaware.com.

    More light to moderate snow was forecast in New England through Monday evening.

    New York City saw its snowiest day in years, with 11 inches falling on Central Park. Main roads throughout the city were largely clear Monday morning, but pedestrians had to plod through snow on some sidewalks and multiple subway lines with above-ground tracks saw delays.

    Bitter cold grips much of the nation

    Meanwhile, bitter cold followed in the storm’s wake. It got down to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit in parts of Minnesota on Sunday. Many communities across the Midwest, South, and Northeast awakened Monday to subzero weather. The entire Lower 48 states were forecast to have their coldest average low temperature of minus 9.8 F — since January 2014.

    Record warmth in Florida was the only thing keeping that average from going even colder, said former National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration chief scientist Ryan Maue, who calculates national averages based on National Weather Service data.

    From Montana to the Florida Panhandle, the weather service posted cold weather advisories and extreme cold warnings as temperatures in many places dipped to zero and even colder. Wind made conditions even chillier and the overnight cold refoze roads early Monday in a cruel reprise of the weekend’s lousy travel weather.

    Even with precipitation ending in Mississippi, “that doesn’t mean the danger is behind us,” Gov. Tate Reeves said in a news conference Sunday.

    Freezing rain that slickened roads and brought trees and branches down on roads and power lines were the main peril in the South over the weekend. In Corinth, Mississippi, heavy machinery manufacturer Caterpillar told employees at its remanufacturing site to stay home Monday and Tuesday.

    It already was Mississippi’s worst ice storm since 1994 with its biggest-ever deployment of ice-melting chemicals — 200,000 gallons — plus salt and sand to treat icy roads, Reeves said. He urged people not to drive anywhere unless absolutely necessary. “Do please reach out to friends and family,” Reeves added.

    At one point Sunday morning, about 213 million people were under some sort of winter weather warning, authorities said.

    Some 12,000 flights also were canceled Sunday and nearly 20,000 were delayed.

    Storm leads to deaths in a number of states

    In New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said at least five people who died were found outside as temperatures plunged Saturday, though the cause of their deaths remained under investigation. Two men died of hypothermia related to the storm in Caddo Parish in Louisiana, according to the state health department.

    In Massachusetts, police said a snowplow backed into a couple walking in a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority parking lot in Norwood on Sunday. A 51-year-old woman was killed and her 47-year-old husband was hospitalized.

    Two teenagers died in sledding accidents, a 17-year-old boy in Arkansas, and a 16-year-old girl in Texas, authorities said.

    Three weather-related deaths were announced in Tennessee, authorities said. Further details were not immediately available.

    ___

    Amy reported from Atlanta. Bynum reported from Savannah, Georgia. AP journalists Charlotte Kramon in Atlanta; Jonathan Mattise in Nashville, Tennessee; Kath McCormack in Concord, New Hampshire; David Caruso in in New York; Julie Carr Smyth in Columbus, Ohio; Sara Cline in Baton Rouge, Louisiana sand Heather Hollingsworth in Mission, Kansas, contributed to this story.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Flight cancellations today top 9,900 amid winter storm — most in a single day since COVID pandemic

    [ad_1]

    Flight cancellations are continuing to mount today as the U.S. is being hit with dangerous winter weather from a storm moving across the country.

    Airlines have canceled more than 9,900 U.S. flights for Sunday, according to the flight-tracking site FlightAware. That’s the most for a single day since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and more the double the number of U.S. flights that were canceled for Saturday. 

    The National Weather Service says the storm is bringing widespread heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain from the Southern Rockies to New England through Monday. 

    “Extremely cold air will follow, prolonging dangerous travel and infrastructure impacts into next week,” it said on Sunday. “Severe thunderstorms may produce damaging gusts and tornadoes across the eastern Gulf Coast states Sunday morning and afternoon.”

    More than 1,800 U.S. flights have already been canceled for Monday. 

    A snow removal machine is seen working on the tarmac of LaGuardia airport in New York on Jan. 25, 2026. 

    CHARLY TRIBALLEAU /AFP via Getty Images


    Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport advised travelers that snow began at midnight and said no flights can come or go while its team clears snow from the airfield. It warned of widespread cancellations Sunday. 

    Even before the winter storm arrived in North Texas, flight cancellations at both major airports there piled up. Dallas Fort Worth international Airport said airlines were expected to operate a reduced number of flights Sunday and encouraged passengers to check their flight status with their airline as schedules could change. 

    “DFW’s teams are actively treating roads, bridges and airfield surfaces to maintain safe operations,” it said in a statement.

    LaGuardia Airport in New York said on its website that “significant travel impacts” from the storm were expected. 

    Airports in Atlanta, Charlotte and Philadelphia were also expecting disruptions. 

    Flight tracking service Flightradar24 said American was the most impacted airline this weekend, followed by United and Delta. 

    Major U.S. airlines were issuing travel waivers, allowing customers to change their plans without penalty. 

    Kathryn Krupnik

    contributed to this report.

    In:

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Software issue grounds 340 American Airlines planes amid holiday rush

    [ad_1]

    The issue was identified after “an event” on another carrier’s aircraft and is affecting Airbus planes worldwide, officials said.

    The issue was identified after “an event” on another carrier’s aircraft and is affecting Airbus planes worldwide, officials said.


    Rodger Mallison

    MCT

    An issue with aircraft software has prompted Fort Worth-based American Airlines to temporarily pull 340 of its Airbus A320 aircraft from service, officials from the airline said on Friday.

    The issue was identified after “an event” on another carrier’s aircraft and is affecting Airbus planes worldwide, officials said. Based on an initial safety review, there are no indications of similar events occurring on American’s jets.

    Airbus has advised carriers to implement a software update, a process that takes around 2 hours per aircraft to complete, according to a statement.

    The airline is “intently focused” on limiting flight cancellations as passengers travel on the holiday weekend, officials said.

    “Our overriding priority will always be the safety of our operation,” the statement reads. “It’s all hands on deck across our airline to address this Airbus software issue and take care of any customers whose flights are affected.”

    Sixty-two American Airlines flights have been cancelled for Saturday Nov. 29, according to online aviation database FlightAware.

    Airbus officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday afternoon.

    Related Stories from Fort Worth Star-Telegram

    Lillie Davidson

    Fort Worth Star-Telegram

    Lillie Davidson is a breaking news reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. She graduated from TCU in 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, is fluent in Spanish, and can complete a crossword in five minutes.

    [ad_2]

    Lillie Davidson

    Source link

  • Air travel headaches continue as cancellations and delays may stretch on after shutdown ends

    [ad_1]

    Air travel disruptions continued on Wednesday, and even after lawmakers approved a deal to end the government shutdown, officials warned that delays and cancellations may persist. 

    The Department of Transportation on Wednesday night announced that 6% of scheduled flights at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports will remain canceled on Thursday, rolling back the initial plan to increase cancellations to 8% on Thursday.

    Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said there has been a decline in air traffic controller callouts since the weekend. He said it’s a good sign that airlines may soon be able to resume normal operations.

    “The FAA safety team is encouraged to see our air traffic control staffing surge, and they feel comfortable with pausing the reduction schedule to give us time to review the airspace,” Duffy said in a statement. “The data is going to guide what we do because the safety of the American people comes first.”

    More than 900 U.S. flights had been canceled as of 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, according to data from the tracking site FlightAware. Another 2,203 flights were delayed, though not all of those delays were due to staffing.

    Tuesday had fewer flight delays and cancellations than previous days. Air traffic control towers reported minimal staffing shortages with only 11 staffing triggers, or times when the air traffic controller levels fell below planned minimums, compared to the 81 that occurred on Saturday. On Wednesday, there were four staffing triggers.

    But even once the government reopens, reversing the flight cuts will not be immediate, Duffy said on Tuesday. The process may happen gradually, as the cuts themselves were phased in, he said. Duffy said he and FAA safety officials would look at relevant data, including pilot complaints, incidents where planes fly too close together, and runway incursions before reversing any of the cuts. 

    Delta CEO Ed Bastian told CNBC that he believed the airline’s operations would normalize shortly after the end of the shutdown. 

    Delta had 2,500 cancellations in recent days, which Bastian said was a “crazy amount” that had cost the airline significantly. Travelers should be able to fly as scheduled for Thanksgiving as long as the shutdown ends soon, Bastian said.  

    “We’re going to be OK for Thanksgiving. We’re going to be OK,” he said. “We got to get the vote done, and so we’re counting on Congress doing their job and making that happen. But Thanksgiving will be fine.” 

    The uncertainty is leaving flyers anxious. 

    “We’re just hoping and praying for the best,” said Marlyn Mayo, who was flying from Washington, D.C., to Dallas-Fort Worth in Texas. 

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Flight cancellations continue to pile up under FAA order in government shutdown — live updates

    [ad_1]

    Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, ranking member of the Senate’s Aviation, Space and Innovation Subcommittee, on Monday criticized President Trump after he threatened to dock the pay of air traffic controllers who took off work amid staffing shortages and the government shutdown.

    “It’s disgraceful and dangerous to threaten to punish controllers who put the safety of pilots and passengers first by refusing to direct air traffic when their performance would’ve been degraded by a diagnosed illness,” Duckworth said in a statement.

    Earlier Monday, Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social that “[a]ll Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!! Anyone who doesn’t will be substantially ‘docked.’” The president said he would recommend a $10,000 bonus, per person, for those who didn’t take “ANY TIME OFF” during the shutdown. 

    “For those that did nothing but complain, and took time off, even though everyone knew they would be paid, IN FULL, shortly into the future, I am NOT HAPPY WITH YOU,” Mr. Trump wrote.

    Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy later said he agrees with the president.

    “Air traffic controllers NEED to show up for work! To those who have worked throughout the shutdown — thank you for your patriotism and commitment to keeping our skies safe. I will work with Congress to reward your commitment,” Duffy said.

    Duckworth voted no on the latest measure to end the government shutdown, splitting with eight moderate Senate Democrats who voted in favor of a bill that would extend government funding through January 2026. The agreement with Republicans would also ensure federal workers, including air traffic controllers, receive back pay since the shutdown began on Oct. 1. 

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • 11/10: CBS Evening News

    [ad_1]

    Flyers describe “mass chaos” at airports; Fetterman, Sanders’ stances show shutdown split.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Government shutdown costing the economy billions of dollars each week

    [ad_1]

    With bipartisan congressional talks to end the U.S. government shutdown bogging down on Friday, the hit to the national economy is growing, experts said.

    “Even if there is a reopening of the government in the next couple of weeks, you’re going to see a visible and permanent loss of economic activity as a result of the government shutdown,” Greg Daco, chief economist at consulting firm EY-Parthenon, told CBS News. 

    Estimates of the economic impact range from $7 billion to $16 billion per week, with the White House’s Council of Economic Advisers, a U.S. government agency, forecasting a weekly loss of $15 billion. A recent CBS News poll found that 54% of Americans said they are “very concerned” about how the shutdown is affecting the economy.

    Here’s where the shutdown, now on Day 38, is hitting the economy hardest.

    Federal workers

    Hundreds of thousands of government employees are going without pay during the shutdown, forcing many to take out loans or seek out temporary jobs to make ends meet.

    The Bipartisan Policy Center, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, estimates that at least 670,000 federal workers are furloughed and roughly 730,000 are working without pay. 

    The Congressional Budget Office, a nonpartisan federal agency that provides analysis to lawmakers, said in a letter last month that the reduction in hours worked by furloughed federal employees alone could end up costing the economy $14 billion by year-end if the shutdown stretches to Thanksgiving. 

    Although government workers are expected to receive back pay once the stalemate ends, some employees are likely to start to pull back on spending, which could ripple through the economy, said Mark Zandi, chief economist at financial research firm Moody’s Analytics.

    Consumers

    The interruption in food-stamp benefits during the shutdown for the more than 40 million Americans enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is also temporarily sapping consumer spending, Zandi said. 

    Spending could soon rebound after a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to provide full federal benefits to states by Friday. Still, the suspension of food stamps comes as many low- and middle-income Americans face other financial strains, including a spike in Affordable Care Act health insurance rates. 

    “There’s all kinds of funding that’s not getting paid out, and that will impact the ability and willingness of these households to spend,” Zandi said.

    Small businesses

    One key sector of the economy feeling the pinch is small businesses, many of which rely on government loans and business from federal agencies to stay afloat.

    For example, the shutdown is preventing the Small Business Administration from distributing $170 million in federally guaranteed loans per day to hundreds of smaller employers, an agency spokesperson told CBS News. As of Wednesday, that amounted to a total loss of $4.5 billion in capital for more than 8,300 small businesses, according to SBA.

    Federal contractors

    The government employs millions of contract workers in custodial, information technology and other roles. However, that activity has stopped during the shutdown, depriving many private businesses of revenue. 

    Grace Zwemmer, an associate economist at Oxford Economics, said the investment advisory firm estimates that roughly $800 million in federal awards are at risk of disruption each week the shutdown drags on. Around 5.2 million federal contractor workers stand to be impacted, according to unofficial estimates, she added.

    “A prolonged shutdown could significantly impact these individuals by impacting the cash flow for the contractors, potentially leading to furloughs, pay cuts or layoffs, with the risks greater for small business contractors,” Zwemmer said.

    An Oxford Economics report this week noted that recent jobless claims data point to a rise in private-sector layoffs in states most exposed to the shutdown.

    Travel companies

    The travel industry is feeling the impact after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered airlines to cut thousands of flights across the U.S. starting Friday.

    As of Wednesday, the industry had already lost roughly $5 billion in travel spending, according to Erik Hansen, head of government relations at the U.S. Travel Association.

    “The timing couldn’t be worse-just weeks before the busiest travel period of the year,” he said.

    Economic growth

    Overall, the government shutdown is expected to take a toll on U.S. gross domestic product, the total output of goods and services. 

    The CBO estimates that the drag on economic activity from the government closure will reduce annualized GDP growth in the final three months of the year by 1 to 2 percentage points, depending on how long the shutdown lasts.

    While economists expect most of the decline in growth to be recovered when the government reopens and as spending and commercial activity ramp back up, the CBO forecasts a permanent economic loss of $7 billion to $14 billion. Still, that is a tiny fraction of the $30 trillion economy.

    Edited by

    Alain Sherter and

    Aimee Picchi

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Transportation Secretary Duffy says flight data was

    [ad_1]

    With flight reductions beginning Friday at 40 major U.S. airports, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said safety is his top priority — but he declined to share information about the data that led to the decision to cut capacity.

    Airlines were ordered to reduce flights as air traffic control staffing grew increasingly strained during the government shutdown, leading to intermittent ground stops.

    “We had seen the rolling staffing triggers that come from air traffic controllers — one day it was L.A., another day it was in New York, Minneapolis, Atlanta — and so as we were looking at data, we were seeing increased numbers in some of the categories we don’t like,” Duffy told “CBS Mornings” on Friday.

    He would not give specifics about what the data showed, but said it will be provided to airlines and Congress at a later time.

    “As that data came in we decided to make the decisions we thought were appropriate,” Duffy said.

    Airlines are expected to cut at least 4% of Friday’s flights and ramp up to 10% by the end of next week if the shutdown continues. The cuts will impact everything from commercial travel to cargo and private jets — even space launches.

    “My job is to be preemptive”

    As the shutdown drags into its second month, Duffy said some air traffic controllers have been working 10-hour days, six days per week.

    “That pressure on the controllers were giving us numbers that were not troubling, but were concerning. So my job is to be preemptive,” he said.

    The air traffic controllers’ union said the nation was already thousands of controllers short of what’s needed before the shutdown. As employees continue to go without pay, there’s been an increase in sick calls.

    Rep. Rick Larsen of Washington, the top Democrat on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, has called for more transparency as flights are slashed.

    “If people want to question us, I would throw it back at them: open up the government,” Duffy said. “You know, we have to take unprecedented action because we’re in an unprecedented situation with the shutdown.” 

    He said he worked with the FAA administrator and safety team on the plans.

    “I have done all I can to minimize disruption in the airspace. I’m trying to get people where they want to go and get them there safely,” he said.

    In its flight reduction order, the FAA said it would impose a $75,000 fine for every flight a carrier operates above government limits.

    Kris Van Cleave

    contributed to this report.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Duffy on flight cuts due to government shutdown

    [ad_1]

    Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says safety is his priority during the government shutdown as the Federal Aviation Administration instructs airlines to cut flights to deal with staffing shortages at major U.S. airports. Duffy spoke to the team at “CBS Mornings.”

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Eye Opener: Flight cancellations begin at major aiports due to government shutdown

    [ad_1]



    Eye Opener: Flight cancellations begin at major aiports due to government shutdown – CBS News










































    Watch CBS News



    Airlines begin slashing flights due to the ongoing shutdown. Plus, the White House announces a deal to cut the price of weight loss drugs for some Americans. All that and all that matters in today’s Eye Opener.

    [ad_2]
    Source link

  • Flights canceled as government shutdown leaves airlines scrambling to comply with FAA order — live updates

    [ad_1]

     

    Some of the nation’s busiest airports to be affected

    The expected flight cancellations on Friday will affect some of the busiest airports in the country, including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, and all three major airports in the New York City area, LaGuardia, JFK and Newark.

    United Airlines expects to cancel nearly 200 flights a day this weekend, but says it is doing its best to minimize the impact on customers systemwide.

    “We’re trying to be really thoughtful about where those flights come out,” said David Kinzelman, United’s chief customer officer.

    “The key for customers to avoid being stranded is early action, early communication. That’s why we’re getting ahead of the curve now and proactively putting in our cancellations 
 for the next several days.”

     

    Consider buying a backup ticket, airline CEO suggests

    Airlines are offering passengers more flexibility to rebook or refunds for canceled flights. One airline executive suggested that for urgent travel plans, passengers might want to book more than one flight as a backup.

    “If you are headed to a wedding, funeral or something you must be somewhere for in the next few days — given the risk of flights [canceling] I would suggest passengers buy a backup ticket on another carrier that departs after the first ticket,” Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle said in an Instagram post on Thursday. 

    Read more advice for travelers here.

     

    Cancellations could be like “the worst type of snowstorm,” travel expert says

    The FAA’s decision to cut back on flights comes after weeks of strain on the air traffic control system.

    “Controllers 
 are very overburdened by short staffing, long hours and an increasing number of colleagues that have been calling off of work here after weeks without pay,” Sean Cudahy, senior aviation reporter for The Points Guy, told CBS News.

    “You think about the worst type of snowstorm, the worst type of thunderstorm delay that we see where those delays kind of cascade, the cancellations, across the country — I think this is what we’re going to be dealing with,” he said, adding that the disruptions are likely to last for days on end.

     

    List includes 40 airports that could be affected by FAA cuts

    The FAA’s plan to slash airline capacity could hit some of the nation’s busiest airports, including in Atlanta, Dallas, New York City and Los Angeles, according to a proposed list provided to CBS News by a source familiar with the discussions.

    The list includes scores of busy passenger airports in major cities and airline hubs, as well as a number of airports with heavy cargo traffic. The list was not final and could still change.

    Read more here.

     

    American Airlines expects cuts won’t affect most of its passengers

    American Airlines expects most of its passengers won’t be affected by the flight cuts.

    “We expect the vast majority of our customers’ travel will be unaffected, and long-haul international travel will remain as scheduled,” the carrier said in a statement Thursday. “As schedule changes are made, we’ll proactively reach out to customers who are impacted.”

    Travelers were urged to check their flights’ status on American’s website or mobile app. The airline said it wouldn’t charge a fee if passengers wanted to change their plans or request a refund.

    “In the meantime, we continue to urge leaders in Washington, D.C., to reach an immediate resolution to end the shutdown,” the carrier said.

     

    Southwest Airlines says passengers can get refund for canceled flights

    Southwest Airlines passengers can receive a refund if their flight was canceled, the airline said.

    The carrier said in a statement that people will be automatically booked onto another flight in most cases. Passengers can also change their flight if the new itinerary doesn’t work.

    “If you choose not to travel on your new itinerary, please cancel your reservation at least 10 minutes before the new flight’s scheduled departure time,” the airline said.

     

    Delta Air Lines expects “vast majority” of flights to go as scheduled

    Delta Air Lines expects to operate most of its flights amid the cuts.

    “Delta expects to operate the vast majority of our flights as scheduled, including all long-haul international service, and will work to minimize customer impact while keeping safety our top priority,” the carrier said Thursday.

    The airline said it wouldn’t charge fees if flyers wanted to change, cancel or refund their flights.

    “We will work to give customers as much notice as possible about any changes to their flights and apologize for any inconvenience these changes may cause,” Delta said.

    Passengers were encouraged to check Delta’s website or mobile app for updates.

     

    United Airlines CEO says cuts will affect regional flights, not travel between hubs

    United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said the flight cuts would affect regional flights and travel between airports that aren’t the carrier’s hubs.

    “United’s long-haul international flying and our hub-to-hub flying will not be impacted by this schedule reduction direction from the FAA,” Kirby said in a note to employees that was posted on the airline’s website. “That’s important to maintain the integrity of our network, give impacted customers as many options as possible to resume their trip, and sustain our crew pairing systems.”

    Here’s a list of United’s hubs, with their airport codes:

    • Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
    • Denver International Airport (DEN)
    • Guam’s Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport (GUM)
    • Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
    • Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
    • Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey (EWR)
    • San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
    • Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

    The airline would make “rolling updates” to its schedule as the shutdown continues, Kirby said. All customers traveling during this period were eligible for refunds.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • What to do if your flight is delayed or canceled during the US government shutdown – WTOP News

    [ad_1]

    Reagan National Airport became the latest this week to report delays because of staffing issues Wednesday amid a government shutdown.

    Passengers walk from a terminal at Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)(AP/Matt Rourke)

    The U.S. government shutdown has now dragged on for over a month, and shortages of air traffic controllers are straining operations — with flight disruptions piling up nationwide.

    Staffing shortages have caused flight delays at a growing number of airports in recent weeks. Among the latest disruptions, Newark Airport in New Jersey experienced delays of two to three hours on Sunday. And busy hubs like George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Chicago O’Hare were also seeing dozens of disruptions over the weekend.

    By Monday afternoon, more delays related to staff shortages were being reported at three Texas airports, including both airports in the Dallas area and the Austin airport. The longest delays were at Love Field where the delays extended over an hour. Long security lines that last for several hours were also being reported at some airports across the country.

    Experts, as well as union leaders representing air traffic controllers and security screeners, warn that the impact could grow significantly worse the longer the shutdown continues and workers go without a paycheck. The Federal Aviation Administration said Friday that nearly 13,000 air traffic controllers had been working without pay for weeks.

    Here is what to know about your rights as a passenger and what to do if your trip is delayed or canceled:

    Check before going to the airport

    It is better to be stuck at home or in a hotel than to be stranded in an airport terminal, so use the airline’s app or flight websites to make sure that your flight is still on before heading to the airport. This FAA site can be checked to see if there are widespread delays at your airport.

    Kyle Potter, executive editor of Thrifty Traveler, suggests also closely monitoring the news if you have upcoming travel plans. Democrats and Republicans have largely remained at a standstill — but if and when that changes, it “could put all of this doubt lingering over air travel to an end pretty quickly,” Potter said.

    My flight was canceled. Now what?

    If you are already at the airport, it is time to find another flight. Get in line to speak to a customer service representative, and call or go online to connect to the airline’s reservations staff. It also helps to reach out on X, the site formerly known as Twitter, because airlines might respond quickly there.

    Airlines will rebook you on a later flight for no additional charge. The good news right now is that this is not a peak travel time, so travelers stand a better chance of finding seats. But the busy holiday season is right around the corner, and at those peak times, passengers might have to wait days for a seat on a new flight.

    Consider other travel options

    If these problems do become more widespread, you might consider whether it makes sense to travel by train, car or bus instead. But there is really no way to predict when and where a staff shortage might happen, and the ongoing shortage of controllers is so critical that even a small number of absences can cause problems.

    Potter said the shutdown is different from when a single airline is having problems and travelers can just pick another carrier. This is creating problems for entire airports at once.

    “As these problems expand and spread the longer the shutdown drags on, it’s unlikely that there will be one airline running on time if the rest of the them are failing,” he said. “It’s going to affect the entire system over time.”

    Can I ask to be booked on another airline?

    You can, but airlines aren’t required to put you on another carrier’s flight. Some airlines, including the biggest ones except Southwest and the discount airlines, say they can put you on a partner airline. But even then it is often hit or miss.

    Jeff Klee, the CEO of AmTrav, which helps businesses book travel, has recommended researching alternate flights while you wait to talk to an agent.

    Am I owed a refund?

    If you no longer want to take the trip, or have found another way of getting to your destination, the airline is legally required to refund your money, even if you bought a non-refundable ticket. It doesn’t matter why the flight was canceled.

    “If the airline cancels your flight, you can say, ‘Alright. I will take a refund and get my money back,’” Potter said. “The important piece is that you get your payment returned to you. You’re not just settling for an airline voucher that may expire in a year or less.”

    You are also entitled to a refund of any bag fees, seat upgrades or other extras that you didn’t get to use.

    Can I get compensation?

    U.S. airlines are not required to pay additional cash compensation and cover lodging and meals for passengers who are stranded, even if a flight cancellation or a severe delay is the airline’s fault.

    The Biden administration had proposed a rule that would have changed that and required airlines to pay passengers for delays and cancellations in more circumstances, with compensation proposed between about $200 and as high as $775. But the Trump administration scrapped that last month, and the airlines praised him for doing so.

    What airlines will cover

    Each airline is different. The U.S. Department of Transportation has a site that lets consumers see the commitments that each carrier makes for refunds and covering other expenses when flights are canceled or significantly delayed.

    Other tips

    Travel insurance might help if you bought a policy when you booked or used a travel credit card that offers that product, but Potter said you shouldn’t assume you will be covered even if you have insurance. Check the fine print to see if you are covered in situations like this when a shortage of workers causes flight disruptions.

    If many flights are canceled, airline agents will soon be overwhelmed by requests. If you’re traveling in a group with someone who has a higher status in the airline’s loyalty program, call using their frequent flyer number. You may get quicker service.

    You also can try calling your airline’s international support number, which is usually listed online and may have shorter wait times.

    Be nice. The agent is likely helping other frustrated travelers, too, and yelling won’t make them more willing to help. Remember, the cancellation isn’t their fault.

    ___

    AP Business Writer Wyatte Grantham-Philips contributed to this report from Philadelphia.

    Copyright
    © 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Air traffic controller shortages lead to broader US flight delays as shutdown nears one-month mark

    [ad_1]

    Continued staffing shortages in air traffic control facilities around the country were again causing delays at airports on Friday as the government shutdown neared the one-month mark.U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has been warning that travelers would start to see more flights delayed or canceled as the nation’s controllers continue to work without pay during the shutdown, which began Oct. 1.“Every day there’s going to be more challenges,” Duffy told reporters Thursday outside the White House after a closed-door meeting with Vice President JD Vance and aviation industry leaders to talk about the shutdown’s impact on U.S. travel.The Federal Aviation Administration reported staffing shortages were causing flight delays Friday at a number of airports, including in Boston, New York City, Nashville, Houston, Dallas, and Newark, New Jersey. Airports in Boston, Nashville, and New York City were experiencing delays averaging two hours or longer.Staffing shortages can happen at regional control centers overseeing multiple airports, as well as in airport towers, but they don’t always result in flight disruptions.Aviation analytics firm Cirium says flight data showed a “broader slowdown” Thursday across the U.S. aviation system for the first time since the shutdown began, suggesting staffing-related disruptions may be spreading.On Thursday, many major U.S. airports reported below-average on-time performance, with fewer flights departing within 15 minutes of their scheduled departure times, according to Cirium. The data does not distinguish between the different causes of delays, such as staffing shortages or bad weather.Staffing-related delays at Orlando’s airport on Thursday, for example, averaged nearly four and a half hours for some time, according to the FAA.Most controllers are continuing to work mandatory overtime six days a week during the shutdown without pay, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association has said. That leaves little time for a side job to help cover bills, mortgage, and other expenses unless controllers call out.Duffy said controllers are also struggling to get to work because they can’t afford to fill up their cars with gas. Controllers missed their first full paycheck on Tuesday.“For this nation’s air traffic controllers, missing just one paycheck can be a significant hardship, as it is for all working Americans. Asking them to go without a full month’s pay or more is simply not sustainable,” Nick Daniels, president of NATCA, said Friday in a statement.Last weekend, a shortage of controllers led to the FAA issuing a brief ground stop at Los Angeles International Airport, one of the busiest in the world. Flights were held at their originating airports for about two hours Sunday until the FAA lifted the ground stop.Some U.S. airports have stepped in to provide food donations and other support for federal aviation employees working without pay, including controllers and Transportation Security Administration agents.Before the shutdown, the FAA was already dealing with a shortage of about 3,000 air traffic controllers.

    Continued staffing shortages in air traffic control facilities around the country were again causing delays at airports on Friday as the government shutdown neared the one-month mark.

    U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has been warning that travelers would start to see more flights delayed or canceled as the nation’s controllers continue to work without pay during the shutdown, which began Oct. 1.

    “Every day there’s going to be more challenges,” Duffy told reporters Thursday outside the White House after a closed-door meeting with Vice President JD Vance and aviation industry leaders to talk about the shutdown’s impact on U.S. travel.

    The Federal Aviation Administration reported staffing shortages were causing flight delays Friday at a number of airports, including in Boston, New York City, Nashville, Houston, Dallas, and Newark, New Jersey. Airports in Boston, Nashville, and New York City were experiencing delays averaging two hours or longer.

    Staffing shortages can happen at regional control centers overseeing multiple airports, as well as in airport towers, but they don’t always result in flight disruptions.

    Aviation analytics firm Cirium says flight data showed a “broader slowdown” Thursday across the U.S. aviation system for the first time since the shutdown began, suggesting staffing-related disruptions may be spreading.

    On Thursday, many major U.S. airports reported below-average on-time performance, with fewer flights departing within 15 minutes of their scheduled departure times, according to Cirium. The data does not distinguish between the different causes of delays, such as staffing shortages or bad weather.

    Staffing-related delays at Orlando’s airport on Thursday, for example, averaged nearly four and a half hours for some time, according to the FAA.

    Most controllers are continuing to work mandatory overtime six days a week during the shutdown without pay, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association has said. That leaves little time for a side job to help cover bills, mortgage, and other expenses unless controllers call out.

    Duffy said controllers are also struggling to get to work because they can’t afford to fill up their cars with gas. Controllers missed their first full paycheck on Tuesday.

    “For this nation’s air traffic controllers, missing just one paycheck can be a significant hardship, as it is for all working Americans. Asking them to go without a full month’s pay or more is simply not sustainable,” Nick Daniels, president of NATCA, said Friday in a statement.

    Last weekend, a shortage of controllers led to the FAA issuing a brief ground stop at Los Angeles International Airport, one of the busiest in the world. Flights were held at their originating airports for about two hours Sunday until the FAA lifted the ground stop.

    Some U.S. airports have stepped in to provide food donations and other support for federal aviation employees working without pay, including controllers and Transportation Security Administration agents.

    Before the shutdown, the FAA was already dealing with a shortage of about 3,000 air traffic controllers.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • What to do if your flight is delayed or canceled during the US government shutdown – WTOP News

    [ad_1]

    Reagan National Airport became the latest this week to report delays because of staffing issues Wednesday amid a government shutdown.

    Passengers walk from a terminal at Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)(AP/Matt Rourke)

    The federal government shutdown has entered its second week, and already shortages of air traffic controllers have strained operations and disrupted flights at some U.S. airports.

    Reagan National Airport became the latest this week to report delays because of staffing issues on Wednesday. But earlier in the week there were also problems at airports in Chicago, Newark, Denver and Nashville, and the tower even had to shut down for several hours in Burbank, California.

    Experts, as well as union leaders representing air traffic controllers and security screeners, warn that the impact could grow significantly worse if the shutdown continues and employees start to miss paychecks.

    Here is what to know about your rights as a passenger and what you can do if delays and cancellations start piling up:

    Check before going to the airport

    It is better to be stuck at home or in a hotel than to be stranded in an airport terminal, so use the airline’s app or flight websites to make sure that your flight is still on before heading to the airport. This FAA site can be checked to see if there are widespread delays at your airport.

    Kyle Potter, executive editor of Thrifty Traveler, suggests also closely monitoring the news if you have upcoming travel plans.

    “A deal, in theory, could come through Congress any day now, and that could put all of this doubt lingering over air travel to an end pretty quickly,” Potter said.

    My flight was canceled. Now what?

    If you are already at the airport, it is time to find another flight. Get in line to speak to a customer service representative, and call or go online to connect to the airline’s reservations staff. It also helps to reach out on X, the site formerly known as Twitter, because airlines might respond quickly there.

    Airlines will rebook you on a later flight for no additional charge. The good news right now is that this is not a peak travel time, so travelers stand a better chance of finding seats. But the busy holiday season is right around the corner, and at those peak times, passengers might have to wait days for a seat on a new flight.

    Consider other travel options

    If these problems do become more widespread, you might consider whether it makes sense to travel by train, car or bus instead. But there is really no way to predict when and where a staff shortage might happen, and the ongoing shortage of controllers is so critical that even a small number of absences can cause problems.

    Potter said the shutdown is different from when a single airline is having problems and travelers can just pick another carrier. This is creating problems for entire airports at once.

    “As these problems expand and spread the longer the shutdown drags on, it’s unlikely that there will be one airline running on time if the rest of the them are failing,” he said. “It’s going to affect the entire system over time.”

    Can I ask to be booked on another airline?

    You can, but airlines aren’t required to put you on another carrier’s flight. Some airlines, including the biggest ones except Southwest and the discount airlines, say they can put you on a partner airline. But even then it is often hit or miss.

    Jeff Klee, the CEO of CheapAir.com, has recommended researching alternate flights while you wait to talk to an agent.

    Am I owed a refund?

    If you no longer want to take the trip, or have found another way of getting to your destination, the airline is legally required to refund your money, even if you bought a non-refundable ticket. It doesn’t matter why the flight was canceled.

    “If the airline cancels your flight, you can say, ‘Alright. I will take a refund and get my money back,’ ” Potter said. “The important piece is that you get your payment returned to you. You’re not just settling for an airline voucher that may expire in a year or less.”

    You are also entitled to a refund of any bag fees, seat upgrades or other extras that you didn’t get to use.

    Can I get compensation?

    U.S. airlines are not required to pay additional cash compensation and cover lodging and meals for passengers who are stranded, even if a flight cancellation or a severe delay is the airline’s fault.

    The Biden administration had proposed a rule that would have changed that and required airlines to pay passengers for delays and cancellations in more circumstances, with compensation proposed between about $200 and as high as $775. But the Trump administration scrapped that last month, and the airlines praised him for doing so.

    What airlines will cover

    Each airline is different. The U.S. Department of Transportation has a site that lets consumers see the commitments that each carrier makes for refunds and covering other expenses when flights are canceled or significantly delayed.

    Other tips

    Travel insurance might help if you bought a policy when you booked or used a travel credit card that offers that product, but Potter said you shouldn’t assume you will be covered even if you have insurance. Check the fine print to see if you are covered in situations like this when a shortage of workers causes flight disruptions.

    If many flights are canceled, airline agents will soon be overwhelmed by requests. If you’re traveling in a group with someone who has a higher status in the airline’s loyalty program, call using their frequent flyer number. You may get quicker service.

    You also can try calling your airline’s international support number, which is usually listed online and may have shorter wait times.

    Be nice. The agent is likely helping other frustrated travelers, too, and yelling won’t make them more willing to help. Remember, the cancellation isn’t their fault.

    Copyright
    © 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

    [ad_2]

    WTOP Staff

    Source link

  • United Airlines ground stop sees all planes briefly held across U.S. and Canada

    [ad_1]

    All United Airlines flights departing in the U.S. and Canada were briefly suspended Tuesday night, as the airline asked the Federal Aviation Administration to issue a ground stop over an unspecified technological issue.

    United, which grounded its flights for about half an hour, said it had “experienced a brief connectivity issue just before midnight Central time on Tuesday, but has since resumed normal operations.”

    It was the second time in less than two months that the U.S. airline had requested a halt to its departures over an unspecified technical glitch. In early August, United flights were subjected to ground stop across major U.S. airports including Newark, Denver, Houston and Chicago, which lasted several hours. 

    Arriving United Airlines planes sit on the tarmac at Chicago O’Hare Airport, in an Aug. 8, 2025 file photo during a ground stop prompted by technical issues. 

    CBS News


    The airline said at the time that it was a “technology issue,” which caused widespread delays throughout its network.

    Tucker Reals

    Tucker Reals is CBSNews.com’s foreign editor, based in the CBS News London bureau. He has worked for CBS News since 2006, prior to which he worked for The Associated Press in Washington, D.C., and London.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Copenhagen Airport shut down for hours by large, unidentified drones flying nearby

    [ad_1]

    Copenhagen, Denmark — Flights at Copenhagen Airport resumed early Tuesday after being suspended or diverted overnight because of drone sightings. Police reported two to three large, unidentified drones were seen Monday night, forcing outgoing flights at Scandinavia’s largest airport to be grounded and others diverted to airports nearby.

    “Copenhagen Airport has reopened after being closed due to drone activity. However, there will be delays and some canceled departures. Passengers are advised to check with their airline for further information,” the airport’s website said.

    Local media showed a significant police presence in the vicinity of the airport.

    A drone incident the same evening at the Oslo, Norway, airport forced all traffic to move to one runway, according to Norwegian broadcaster NRK. Traffic later returned to normal and it’s unclear who was responsible.

    The unknown perpetrator in Copenhagen was a capable drone pilot with the ability to fly them many miles to reach the airport, Jens Jespersen of the Copenhagen Police said during a news conference Tuesday morning. The pilot seemed to be showing off their skills, he said.

    Danish police are seen at Copenhagen Airport, in Kastrup near Copenhagen, Sept. 22, 2025, after two or three unidentified, large drones were seen flying near the airport.

    STEVEN KNAP/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP/Getty


    “The number, size, flight patterns, time over the airport. All this together… indicates that it is a capable actor. Which capable actor, I do not know,” Jespersen said.

    Police chose not to shoot down the drones due to the risk posed by their location near the airport full of passengers, planes on runways and nearby fuel depots, he said.

    Investigators are looking at how the drones reached the airport — whether it was by land or possibly on boats coming through the strategic straights into the Baltic Sea.

    russia-europe-map.jpg

    Europe and western Russia.

    Google Maps


    Jespersen said authorities could not rule out the possibility of the drones being part of a Russian hybrid attack.

    Russian drone and warplane incursions into Europe raise concern

    Security concerns in northern Europe have been heightened following an increase in Russian sabotage activities and multiple drone and fighter jet incursions into NATO airspace in recent weeks, which have seen some of America’s European NATO allies accuse Moscow of serious provocations amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. 

    Russian drones were shot down by Polish and allied NATO warplanes after crossing into Polish airspace on Sept. 9. Ten days later, Estonia said several Russian fighter jets entered its airspace.

    Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics said on social media that Russia was testing NATO’s political and military response and aiming to reduce Western support for Ukraine by compelling countries to redirect resources toward the defense of alliance countries.

    Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday denied that Russian planes entered Estonia’s airspace, saying they remained in international airspace and accusing European nations of “escalating tensions and provoking a confrontational atmosphere.”

    Jonatan Vseviov, who heads the Estonian foreign ministry, told the country’s ERR public broadcaster, however, that the government had “irrefutable evidence” of the Russian incursion, adding: “The fact that Russia is provocatively and dangerously violating the airspace of a NATO country is one thing. The fact that it is openly lying to the whole world about it is another.”

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Another rough day for travelers as airlines cancel more than 2,200 flights

    Another rough day for travelers as airlines cancel more than 2,200 flights

    [ad_1]

    Widespread flight cancellations continued Tuesday as a winter storm pummeled the eastern U.S., causing headaches for thousands of travelers. 

    As of 4:20 p.m. Eastern Time, airlines had scratched more than 2,200 scheduled U.S. flights, while roughly 6,800 flights were delayed, according to tracking service FlightAware. Thousands more trips were canceled or delayed over the weekend as harsh winter weather, including freezing temperatures, snow and strong winds, enveloped states in the Midwest, Northeast and South.

    Among the hardest hit airlines is Southwest Airlines, which on Tuesday scrapped more than 400 flights, or 11% of its daily schedule, while another 909 were delayed. Cancellations were also high at Alaska Airlines and United Airlines as they continued to deal with concerns over the safety of some Boeing 737 Max 9 jets following a mid-air incident last week in which a “door plug” fell off an Alaska Airlines plane.


    Winter weather still impacting flights at DIA, but warmer temperatures are on the way

    01:53

    Unlike in 2022, when airline mismanagement and staffing shortages affected holiday travel, bad weather is the main culprit behind the current woes.

    “The winter weather is the primary catalyst, but the big challenge is that this weather has been so intense and extensive,” airline Henry Harteveldt, president of Atmosphere Research Group, told CBS MoneyWatch.

    The schedule disruptions are severe enough that staffing is starting to run thin across airlines, while de-icing fluid was also in short supply Tuesday, Harteveldt added. “When you’ve got delays at major airports, everything just gets spread out across the entire aviation network and there’s a waterfall effect,” he said. 

    Travel industry expert Scott Keyes said the true test of airlines’ readiness will be in how they rebound once the weather eases in the coming days.

    “For now the cancellations and delays are understandable and forgivable. In the next days, when the weather improves, all eyes will be on airlines to see if they are able to bounce back quickly or if they suffer from more cancellations that are the result of a lack of preparation,” he said.

    By contrast, airlines will have to consider future investments to preserve their operational efficiency in the face of worsening winter storms. 

    “Once airlines and airpots get through this latest bout of bad weather, they need to really sit down and think about how they prepare for a future where bad winter weather storms may be more frequent, last longer and potentially have even greater temperature and weather extremes than we have seen,” Harteveldt said. 


    Philadelphia International Airport reporting delays, cancellations Tuesday

    01:39

    In airlines’ favor on the staffing front is the fact that this weather event is occurring in the middle, not the end, of the month. Federal law caps the total number of monthly hours that crews can work, including flight attendants and pilots. If it were closer to the end of the calendar month, crews could be at greater risk of maxing out their hours. For example, time spent waiting for aircraft to be de-iced before takeoff is applied toward employees’ schedule caps.

    “I am concerned if we see bad weather happen again that this could have a cascading effect and we could see worse problems later in the month,” Harteveldt said. 

    When bad weathers occurs, travelers should download their carrier’s app and pay attention to airline updates, he noted. If checking bags is a must, keeping essentials in a carry-on is advisable in case you end up stuck at the airport.

    Megan Cerullo


    img-6153.jpg

    Megan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering small business, workplace, health care, consumer spending and personal finance topics. She regularly appears on CBS News Streaming to discuss her reporting.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Airlines scrap thousands of flights as wintry weather disrupts travel

    Airlines scrap thousands of flights as wintry weather disrupts travel

    [ad_1]

    Winter weather advisory for dangerous cold and wintry mix


    Winter weather advisory for dangerous cold and wintry mix

    06:46

    Frigid temperatures and blistering winds continued to disrupt air travel for a third straight day as airlines scratched thousands of flights amid a brutal bout of winter weather.

    As of 5:01 p.m. Eastern Time carriers had canceled nearly 2,700 flights into and out of the U.S. on Monday and delayed roughly 7,000 others, according to data from FlightAware shows. The arctic blast, which began Friday, caused thousands more flight cancellations and more than 16,000 delays over the weekend, according to the tracking service.

    As of early Monday, 142 million people in the U.S. were under wind chill alerts, while 100 million had received winter weather alerts, according to CBS New senior weather and climate producer David Parkinson. The bitter cold and snow, which has shuttered schools, blocked roads and knocked out power in a number of states, is expected to taper off around midweek. 

    But before it recedes the storm could bring sub-zero temperatures to some southern states, while bone-chilling winds blowing from the Northern Rockies and into Iowa could plunge temperatures to a near-record low of around 30 degrees below zero in the Midwest, according to the National Weather Service. The freezing temperatures come as Iowa voters kick off the Republican presidential contest, raising concerns about voter turnout.


    Subzero temperatures predicted for Iowa caucuses. Will weather keep voters away?

    03:24

    Travelers in some cities took the brunt of the harsh conditions. At Chicago’s Midway International Airport, 30% of flights were canceled, while 11% of flights at the city’s O’Hare International were scrapped, according to FlightAware. 

    “Severe winter weather has caused delays across our operations including at Chicago O’Hare and George Bush Intercontinental Airport,” United Airlines said in a statement Monday. “Our operations team continues to monitor weather developments across the country and adjust our schedule accordingly.”

    Airlines also nixed roughly a fifth of flights at Dallas Love Field Airport, Buffalo Niagara International Airport and Nashville International Airport.

    Southwest Airlines on Monday canceled 400 trips, or 16% of its daily scheduled flights, the most of any major U.S. airline. The cancellations mark the latest of several snafus that have affected the airline’s flight schedules in recent years as it struggles with software system issues and worker shortages.

    The deep freeze isn’t the only factor behind the recent rash of flight cancellations and delays. Hundreds of flights operated by Alaska Airways and United Airlines’ were canceled last week after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered the grounding of both airlines’ Boeing 737 Max 9 aircrafts. 

    The orders came after a “door plug” fell off an Alaska Airlines Max 9 plane during a flight earlier this month, prompting the FAA to launch an investigation into the planes’ manufacturing. 

    Elizabeth Napolitano


    elizabeth-napolitano-cbsmoneywatch-cropped.jpg

    Elizabeth Napolitano is a freelance reporter at CBS MoneyWatch, where she covers business and technology news. She also writes for CoinDesk. Before joining CBS, she interned at NBC News’ BizTech Unit and worked on The Associated Press’ web scraping team.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Southwest Airlines cancels hundreds of flights, disrupting some holiday travelers

    Southwest Airlines cancels hundreds of flights, disrupting some holiday travelers

    [ad_1]

    Christmas Day flight delays, cancellations at Chicago airports


    Christmas Day flight delays, cancellations at Chicago airports

    02:37

    After thousands of U.S. flights were canceled or delayed over the holidays in 2022, most holiday travelers this year are off to a cheerier start this Christmas. But a few trouble spots were emerging on Christmas Day.

    Roughly 135 flights to, from or within the U.S. had been been cancelled as of 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time, while just over 1,100 were delayed, according to tracking service FlightAware.

    Airlines had canceled only 1.2% of U.S. flights so far this year as of Dec. 22, the lowest in five years. Nearly 3 million passengers were expected to pass through domestic airports during the busy holiday period, up 16% from 2022.

    Southwest flights canceled

    Not everyone got off so lucky. Some passengers at Chicago’s Midway International Airport this Christmas Eve were left stranded on Christmas Eve, according to CBS News Chicago, with the U.S. carrier most disrupted during last year’s holiday period — Southwest Airlines — again experiencing problems. Southwest attributed the delays to foggy weather in Chicago, but passengers also told CBS2 that a shortage of workers was a factor.

    Those snafus also affected passengers at Denver International Airport, with Southwest canceling 293 flights on Sunday, while nearly 1,300 trips were delayed, FlightAware data shows.

    “We had dense fog in Chicago that forced us to discontinue operating last night and into this morning,” Chris Mainz, a Southwest Airlines spokesman, told CBS News Colorado. 

    Southwest on Monday morning canceled 101 flights, or 2% of its daily trips, while 397 flights were delayed, FlightAware data showed. By comparison, Delta and United Airlines canceled five flights.

    “[Y]ou guys ruined my Christmas two years in a row,” one person posted Friday on X.

    Meanwhile, a winter storm in the Northern Plains is bringing snow, ice and riskier road conditions Monday to the region stretching from northern Kansas through Nebraska, the Dakotas and parts of Minnesota, the Weather Channel reported.


    Blizzard causes dangerous travel, heavy snow and wind in the Northern Plains

    00:41

    Southwest earlier this month agreed to a $140 million settlement with the federal government over the chaos last year that stranded more than 2 million travelers over the holidays. Southwest has previously agreed to pay more than $600 million in refunds and reimbursements to customers.

    “This is a message to the entire airline industry: They must take care of passengers, or we’ll use the full extent of our authority to hold them accountable,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg tweeted on Dec. 18.

    —The Associated Press contributed to this report.

    Alain Sherter

    Alain Sherter covers business and economic affairs for CBSNews.com.

    [ad_2]

    Source link