Winter Storm Disrupts U.S. Air Travel
A massive winter storm wreaked havoc across the Southern United States on Friday, leading to widespread flight cancellations and delays that disrupted travel nationwide. According to flight trackers and official reports, airlines canceled more than 3,000 flights, while over 4,000 additional flights were delayed as severe weather conditions gripped the region.
At Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport—Delta Air Lines’ main hub and the world’s busiest airport—the storm’s impact was especially pronounced. Around 1,100 flights to and from Atlanta were canceled, representing more than half of the airport’s daily schedule. The situation was further complicated by a ground stop implemented at Hartsfield-Jackson, a measure designed to prevent the facility from being overwhelmed with inbound flights during the severe weather.
The situation took a dramatic turn shortly after 9 a.m. when a Delta Boeing 757-300 operating flight 2668 from Atlanta to Minneapolis-St. Paul had to abort its takeoff. An engine problem triggered an emergency shutdown, and the flight crew, following established procedures, quickly initiated a full evacuation using emergency slides. The incident resulted in the safe evacuation of 201 passengers and seven crew members. According to airport spokespeople, four passengers reported minor injuries—one was transported for further treatment while three received on-site care. The Federal Aviation Administration has confirmed that it is investigating the incident to determine the precise cause of the engine issue and to ensure that all safety protocols were adhered to.
Delta issued a statement regarding the aborted takeoff, stating, “Delta’s flight crew followed established procedures to suspend the takeoff of flight 2668 from Atlanta (ATL) to Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) after an indication of an engine issue. Nothing is more important than the safety of our people and customers, and we apologize to our customers for their experience. We are working to support our customers and get them to their destinations as safely and quickly as possible.” This assurance comes at a time when travelers are already facing significant disruptions due to the winter storm.
The storm’s impact was not confined to Atlanta. Two of American Airlines’ key hubs—Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)—were also hit hard by the severe weather. More than 1,200 flights to and from these airports were canceled. In particular, DFW experienced a major shutdown on Thursday when heavy snowfall forced the cancellation of most scheduled flights.
In response to the widespread travel disruptions caused by the storm, major carriers including Delta, Southwest, and American Airlines have waived change fees and fare differences. This gesture is aimed at mitigating the inconvenience for passengers affected by the cancellations and delays, providing much-needed relief in a challenging travel environment.
The extreme weather has been the subject of intense scrutiny from industry observers, who note that such conditions can have a cascading impact on airline operations, especially at major hubs. As airlines work to rebook stranded passengers and restore normal service levels, the emphasis remains on passenger safety and efficient recovery from the storm-induced chaos.
Travelers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates on flight status and to consider flexible travel plans in light of the continuing adverse weather conditions. As the investigation into the Delta flight incident continues, the aviation community is looking toward enhanced safety measures and improved response protocols to prevent such disruptions in the future.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, cnbc.com