Ice storm leads to thousands of US flight cancellations
An ice storm has hit the US forcing airlines to cancel thousands of flights.
Airline tracking website, Flight Aware, reports 4,259 flights have been cancelled within, into or out of the US today.
Among airports worst affected are Hartsfield-Jackson, Philadelphia International, Reagan International in Washington and airports serving New York – Newark, LaGuardia and John F Kennedy.
Several British Airways flights arriving at Heathrow from Atlanta and Washington have been affected.
Virgin has cancelled its flight to and from Newark due to the anticipated heavy snowfall but is planning to operate most flights as scheduled.
The airline is offering passengers booked to New York, Washington and Boston today or tomorrow, the chance to switch flights to a later due to the expected disruption.
Virgin said: "Travel must be before the 19th February and in the same booking class as previous ticket."
Winter Strom Pax stretched from eastern Texas to the Carolinas leaving five dead, 260,000 without power and 3,500 flights cancelled yesterday.
Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport – the world’s busiest – looked deserted as it cancelled almost 2,500 flights up until 5pm yesterday.
As an important connecting hub, the knock-on effect of cancellations and delays was felt right across the country.
Atlanta airport spokesman Reese McCranie said all travellers should check with their respective airlines before going to the airport, adding that all the airlines are being "supremely cautious."
McCranie said the airport will remain open all week and have deployed essential operational staff working 12-hour shifts to deal with de-icing.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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