Winter Storm Disrupts Thousands of Flights Across US
A massive winter storm sweeping across the United States has led to the cancellation of over 2,000 flights on Friday, with widespread power outages and travel disruptions affecting 12 states.
Morgan Riley
- 2024-01-13
- Updated 05:56 AM ET
(NewsNibs) - The storm has crippled travel plans for thousands of passengers as airlines struggle to manage the fallout. Southwest Airlines bore the brunt of the disruptions, with 401 flights canceled, while SkyWest followed closely with 358 cancellations. As conditions are expected to deteriorate further into the weekend, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had forewarned that weather conditions, including cloud coverage, snowfall, and wind strength, could lead to delays at several airports. United Airlines reported canceling 284 flights, with some cancellations extending into Saturday amidst ongoing regulatory processes to resume operations of their Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft. Despite the setbacks, United Airlines noted the use of alternative aircraft types to carry out some of its scheduled flights.
FAA Announces Boeing Audit
As airlines grapple with weather-induced issues, the FAA has announced the commencement of an audit into Boeing's production processes and is set to increase scrutiny over the aerospace manufacturer. This decision came in the wake of an incident where a panel became detached from a Boeing aircraft during flight the previous week, marking the latest concern in a series of troubles for Boeing's most vital line of aircraft. Southwest Airlines has also issued a statement alerting passengers that flights to and from Chicago, Detroit, and Omaha are likely to be impacted by the ongoing storm.
In response to the compounded challenges of the weather and regulatory actions, airlines are making efforts to mitigate the disruptions and maintain safety. Travelers are encouraged to check with their airlines for the latest updates on their flights and prepare for potential changes. The incident with Boeing will be particularly scrutinized as the FAA tightens its oversight, ensuring the enduring safety of air travelers amidst these turbulent times.
[[ARTICLE PART 4]]
