Delta Airlines cancels flights and rebooks passengers as Atlanta faces heavy snowfall
Delta Air Lines faces major disruptions at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, its primary hub, as unexpected heavy snowfall forces the closure of all runways. With 500 flights canceled and a ground stop requested from the FAA, the airline works to stabilize operations while assisting affected passengers through rebooking and flexible travel policies
Delta Air Lines faces more severe weather conditions than expected in the southeastern United States this weekend, significantly impacting Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, its main hub.
The airport, the world's busiest with 104 million passengers annually, closed all five runways on Friday, January 10, as authorities worked to clear snow and ice. Adding to the disruption, a Delta Boeing 757-300 had to abort takeoff, forcing passengers to disembark directly on the snow-covered runway. While the company did not provide technical details about the incident, no injuries were reported among passengers or crew, according to Aeroin.
In response to worsening weather and operational challenges, Delta requested the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implement a ground stop for Atlanta. This safety procedure requires aircraft scheduled to depart for the affected airport to remain on the ground until further notice, allowing local operations to stabilize and resources to be reorganized.
Flight cancellations and operational adjustments
As of now, approximately 500 flights operated by Delta and its regional affiliate Delta Connection have been canceled. The airline, which issued a fare difference waiver on January 8, warned that additional adjustments could be made to the weekend schedule depending on weather conditions. Delta urges passengers to check the status of their flights through its website or the Fly Delta app.
The operations at Atlanta were hampered by unexpectedly heavy and early snowfalls, affecting aircraft de-icing capacity and slowing airport activities. Delta stated it is working closely with aviation authorities to safely reopen the runways and resume operations.
Assisting passengers amid disruptions
Delta emphasized that the safety of its customers and employees remains its top priority. Passengers with canceled flights or missed connections will be rebooked on the next available route. The airline also highlighted its flexible travel policy, allowing passengers with reservations for cities in the southeastern U.S. affected by the snowstorm to change or cancel their trips without additional fees, per the issued waiver policy.
The Delta Operations and Customer Service Center continues to monitor weather conditions and provide advance updates on flight changes. Passengers can manage their bookings and receive real-time notifications via the Fly Delta app or email.
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