Airlines across the United States have canceled over 1,600 flights on Friday after winter storms knocked out power to homes and business across 12 states. In total, 1,238 flights were delayed and 1,643 flights were canceled, according to FlightAware.com.
An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 plane sits at a gate at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on January 6, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. Alaska Airlines grounded its 737 MAX 9 planes after part of a fuselage blew off during a flight from Portland Oregon to Ontario, California.
"We expect some operational challenges due to the weather in the Midwest today and potentially tomorrow due to the winter weather in the region," a Delta Air Lines spokesperson said.
The Federal Aviation Administration warned that clouds, snow, and strong winds would delay flights at certain airports, but a new day hammered on the fact that the reality of the matter was more dire than could have been predicted.
Southwest canceled 355 flights, while SkyWest canceled 275. United has canceled 258 flights thus far but more cancelations are expected on Saturday as it waits for clearance to resume flying the Boeing 737 MAX 9, which has come under fire lately.
United is attempting to meet its obligation by switching to other aircraft types. The FAA recently launched a formal investigation into the 737 MAX 9 airplane after an Alaska Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency landing when a cabin panel blew off while the plane was in flight.
All planes of this type were grounded across the nation. An agreement needs to be reached between the FAA and Boeing before Alaska Airlines and United Airlines can begin their final inspections of their respective MAX 9 aircraft.
Alaska and United may cancel flights that are non-MAX 9 to use those planes on flights that are affected by the MAX 9 grounding.
"Alaska and United may cancel non-MAX 9 flights to free up aircraft to cover high-volume routes that were to be served by MAX 9s," said Henry Harteveldt, president and travel industry analyst at Atmosphere Research Group.
The widespread cancellations and delays continue to plague U.S. airlines, with over 1,600 flights affected due to winter storms causing power outages in 12 states. Delta Air Lines anticipates operational challenges, acknowledging the Midwest's adverse weather. Southwest, SkyWest, and United have collectively canceled hundreds of flights, the latter awaiting clearance for Boeing 737 MAX 9 operations amid a formal FAA investigation following an emergency landing.
Grounded MAX 9 planes add complexity, prompting Alaska and United to potentially cancel non-MAX 9 flights to reallocate aircraft. As the FAA-Broeing resolution unfolds, the industry grapples with uncertainties, emphasizing the storm's disruptive impact on air travel.
