Hurricane Sandy Causes Flight Cancellations
By: WTAJ Staff
Updated: October 28, 2012
Flight cancellations update 9pm October 28
Over 6,800 flight cancellations so far as a result of Hurricane Sandy
1,251 flights cancelled to/from/within the US today. Most affected is Newark (EWR), with 305 cancellations today.
5,559 flights cancelled to/from/within the US tomorrow (Monday). Most affected is Philadelphia (PHL), with 1084 cancellations.
Most airlines are suspending operations this evening at DCA/IAD/PHL/JFK/EWR/LGA. Virgin Atlantic plans continue operations through tomorrow morning in/out of EWR and JFK.
Airport-specific updates:
EWR/LGA/JFK - PANYNJ is recommending that airlines cancel everything tomorrow but airports plan to remain open to the extent practical.
PHL - no operations tomorrow and not returning until mid-day Tuesday.
DCA - over 95% of flights cancelled for tomorrow
BWI - almost all flights cancelled tomorrow except for some limited morning cargo operations.
Every airline is allowing fee-free changes (and refunds in some cases) for itineraries potentially impacted by the storm. The best way to make flight changes is on airline websites; call centers are typically overwhelmed during major events.
We expect the number of flight cancellations for tomorrow to stay relatively the same as above although airlines will begin canceling flights for Tuesday and Wednesday once more information is available..
3pm October 28 Update
Over 3,000 flight cancellations so far as a result of Hurricane Sandy.
707 flights cancelled to/from/within the US Sunday. Most affected is Newark (EWR), a United hub, with over 265 cancellations.
2,499 flights cancelled to/from/within the US Monday. Most affected is Newark (EWR), with 774 cancellations, second is Dulles with 428 cancellations, third is Philadelphia with 355 cancellations.
Although most air traffic control towers will close when the wind reaches 60-70kts, the big factor that will result in early flight disruptions is mass transit shutdowns and the availability of airline and airport staff due to their need to prepare for the storm. For example, NYC MTA is planning a 7pm train shutdown this evening. Another big factor potentially affecting coastal airports is high tide; LGA is the most likely big airport to close (only 4ft above high tide), followed by JFK.
United Airlines is expected to be most affected; they have hubs near NYC (EWR) and DC (IAD). United will be shutting down DC operations around 7-8pm tonight with a plan to resume flights sometime on Tuesday after 12p. United will be shutting down PHL and JFK/EWR/LGA operations tonight between 6-7pm with a plan to resume operations sometime after 6pm on Tuesday.
US Airways will announce their cancellation schedule at noon today although their regional carrier, Air Wisconsin, has already cancelled flights on Monday at PHL and DCA. JetBlue is also deciding later pending determination of staffing availability.
Every airline is allowing fee-free changes (and refunds in some cases) for itineraries potentially impacted by the storm. The best way to make flight changes is on airline websites; call centers are typically overwhelmed during major events.
Another update is expected Sunday evening.
Information from www.flightaware.com
Over 6,800 flight cancellations so far as a result of Hurricane Sandy
1,251 flights cancelled to/from/within the US today. Most affected is Newark (EWR), with 305 cancellations today.
5,559 flights cancelled to/from/within the US tomorrow (Monday). Most affected is Philadelphia (PHL), with 1084 cancellations.
Most airlines are suspending operations this evening at DCA/IAD/PHL/JFK/EWR/LGA. Virgin Atlantic plans continue operations through tomorrow morning in/out of EWR and JFK.
Airport-specific updates:
EWR/LGA/JFK - PANYNJ is recommending that airlines cancel everything tomorrow but airports plan to remain open to the extent practical.
PHL - no operations tomorrow and not returning until mid-day Tuesday.
DCA - over 95% of flights cancelled for tomorrow
BWI - almost all flights cancelled tomorrow except for some limited morning cargo operations.
Every airline is allowing fee-free changes (and refunds in some cases) for itineraries potentially impacted by the storm. The best way to make flight changes is on airline websites; call centers are typically overwhelmed during major events.
We expect the number of flight cancellations for tomorrow to stay relatively the same as above although airlines will begin canceling flights for Tuesday and Wednesday once more information is available..
3pm October 28 Update
Over 3,000 flight cancellations so far as a result of Hurricane Sandy.
707 flights cancelled to/from/within the US Sunday. Most affected is Newark (EWR), a United hub, with over 265 cancellations.
2,499 flights cancelled to/from/within the US Monday. Most affected is Newark (EWR), with 774 cancellations, second is Dulles with 428 cancellations, third is Philadelphia with 355 cancellations.
Although most air traffic control towers will close when the wind reaches 60-70kts, the big factor that will result in early flight disruptions is mass transit shutdowns and the availability of airline and airport staff due to their need to prepare for the storm. For example, NYC MTA is planning a 7pm train shutdown this evening. Another big factor potentially affecting coastal airports is high tide; LGA is the most likely big airport to close (only 4ft above high tide), followed by JFK.
United Airlines is expected to be most affected; they have hubs near NYC (EWR) and DC (IAD). United will be shutting down DC operations around 7-8pm tonight with a plan to resume flights sometime on Tuesday after 12p. United will be shutting down PHL and JFK/EWR/LGA operations tonight between 6-7pm with a plan to resume operations sometime after 6pm on Tuesday.
US Airways will announce their cancellation schedule at noon today although their regional carrier, Air Wisconsin, has already cancelled flights on Monday at PHL and DCA. JetBlue is also deciding later pending determination of staffing availability.
Every airline is allowing fee-free changes (and refunds in some cases) for itineraries potentially impacted by the storm. The best way to make flight changes is on airline websites; call centers are typically overwhelmed during major events.
Another update is expected Sunday evening.
Information from www.flightaware.com
