In this article, airlines canceled more than 3,000 flights on Friday due to a massive winter storm causing travel disruptions across the Southern U.S., with over 4,000 other flights experiencing delays.
Operations faced additional challenges when a Delta Air Lines Boeing 757-300 had to abort takeoff due to an engine issue at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world’s busiest airport and Delta’s main hub. The 201 passengers and seven crew members on board were evacuated using emergency slides.
Four passengers sustained minor injuries, with one being taken to a hospital and three receiving on-site treatment, as reported by an airport spokesperson. The Federal Aviation Administration has initiated an investigation into the incident.
Delta stated that the flight crew followed standard procedures to halt the takeoff of flight 2668 from Atlanta to Minneapolis-St. Paul upon detecting an engine problem. The airline emphasized the importance of safety for both passengers and staff, expressing regret for any inconvenience caused and working to assist passengers in reaching their destinations safely and promptly.
Over 1,100 flights to and from Atlanta, comprising more than half of the day’s flight schedule, were canceled, with an additional 400 flights experiencing delays, according to FlightAware, a flight tracking service. The airport implemented a ground stop to prevent an influx of flights and manage the situation effectively.
The storm heavily impacted American Airlines’ operations at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Charlotte Douglas International Airport, resulting in the cancellation of over 1,200 flights to and from these hubs. A significant number of flights at DFW were also canceled the previous day due to snowfall from the storm.
Delta, Southwest, American, and other airlines waived change fees and fare differences for passengers affected by the storms and adverse weather conditions.
