With much of the United States still reeling from a brutal winter storm and bone-chilling temperatures, the country witnessed massive flight cancellations and delays, and other transportation challenges on Christmas.
On Christmas Eve, there were a total of 3,487 flights canceled, according to FlightAware. Over 6,500 flights were delayed as of Saturday afternoon.
Denver International, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International and Chicago’s O’Hare airport were among the US airports most affected by delays and cancellations, according to FlightAware’s “Misery Map.”
On Friday, there were nearly 6,000 canceled flights in the US, and close to 12,000 delays, according to FlightAware.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International – the world’s busiest airport for passengers – saw the second most cancellation and delays as of 10 pm on Sunday.
On Saturday morning, Southwest Airlines said they are operating under a “State of Operational Emergency” at Denver International Airport where nearly half (46%) of all flights were delayed. “With more than half of the airports where we operate in the continental U.S. under duress from the storm, Southwest is uniquely affected, given our size and structure,” Southwest said in an advisory.
Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) tweeted that it would remain closed entirely until 11 am. Tuesday, December 27.
Bus and train service
The Greyhound bus service also posted its latest bus service disruptions, which were centered around routes into and out of Buffalo and Syracuse in New York.
Amtrak’s last service alert said then the severe weather “has caused Amtrak to make several service and cancellations from now through Sunday, December 25.”