A powerful wave of storms swept across large parts of the United States on Monday, triggering widespread disruptions to air travel. More than 12,500 flights were either delayed or canceled as extreme weather conditions impacted major airports, particularly along the East Coast and in several other regions.
Due to the threat of strong winds and severe thunderstorms, the Federal Aviation Administration implemented delay programs at key airports, including LaGuardia Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport. Similar measures were taken at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, as well as airports in Orlando, Charlotte, Atlanta, and George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that the severe weather system was affecting flights nationwide. Meanwhile, a major winter storm further complicated travel conditions across the Midwest and the Great Lakes region, adding to the overall disruption.
Earlier in the day, temporary ground stops were enforced at Reagan National, O’Hare International Airport, and Charlotte Douglas International Airport before being lifted. However, ground stops continued at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston and Baltimore/Washington International Airport.
According to flight tracking platform FlightAware, by late afternoon more than 8,500 flights had been delayed and around 4,000 were canceled across the country. Major carriers including American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Delta Air Lines reported disruptions affecting nearly 45% of their operations, while United Airlines saw about 36% of its flights impacted.
Some of the busiest airports experienced the highest levels of disruption, with approximately 57% of flights affected in Atlanta, 51% at Chicago O’Hare, and 57% at LaGuardia.
In response to the worsening weather conditions, federal authorities instructed government employees in the Washington, D.C. area to leave their offices early, as a precaution against the escalating storm risks.
