Thousands of flights cancelled as storm descends on the East

NEW YORK — Airline travellers are going nowhere fast because of the blizzard bearing down on the North-east.

By mid-afternoon yesterday (Jan 26), about 6,500 US flights through today had already been scrubbed, according to tracking service FlightAware.com. Most were to or from a band running from Washington through New York to Boston.

And 1,700 flights had been delayed.

Cancellations and delays are likely to spill over into tomorrow, if not longer.

Airlines cancel flights before storms arrive to prevent passengers from driving to the airport and getting stranded in the terminal. Airlines also want to avoid having their planes stuck at snowed-in airports.

Most major US carriers said they would allow passengers ticketed to, from or through the North-east yesterday or today to change their plans without getting hit by a reservation-changing fee, typically US$200 (S$269).

But stranded travellers could still have extra costs. When weather causes delays, airlines have no legal obligation to find a hotel room or provide meals for stranded travellers, “although they might do so as a courtesy”, said Mr George Hobica, founder of the travel website airfarewatchdog.com. He advised travellers to check the terms of the credit card they used to book the trip — some include coverage for hotels and meals when flights are cancelled due to weather.

The National Weather Service predicted that 60 to 90cm of snow would fall in a 400km stretch of the North-east, including the New York and Boston areas. Philadelphia was bracing for 35 to 45cm.

The blizzard in the North-east was having ripple effects for travellers and airports across the country. Despite temperatures ranging between 21-26°C and just light rain, 60 departures were cancelled at Los Angeles International Airport, many of them bound for New York or Boston. San Francisco and Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson airports each had more than 50 departures wiped out.

What some major airlines are reporting:

UNITED AIRLINES

Will not fly today in New York, Boston or Philadelphia. Spokeswoman Mary Ryan said the airline would limit operations at Newark, New Jersey, and New York’s LaGuardia and Kennedy airports last night and cancel all flights today at those airports.

Callers were also experiencing long times on hold because of the heavy volume.

AMERICAN AIRLINES

Plans to suspend operations last afternoon at LaGuardia, Kennedy, Newark, Boston and Philadelphia and run a “very limited” schedule in the North-east today, said spokeswoman Andrea Huguely.

DELTA AIR LINES

Has already cancelled 960 flights scheduled today and expects to shut down at Boston’s Logan Airport and offer limited flights at LaGuardia and Kennedy airports, said spokesman Morgan Durrant.

Mr Durrant said Delta might cancel some flights tomorrow morning.

SOUTHWEST

Has already cancelled nearly 50 tomorrow flights, said spokesman Brad Hawkins. AP