High winds and snow squalls have significantly disrupted flight operations at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. This situation arose during a particularly busy holiday travel period, leading to a ground delay effective from Monday until late in the day.
Flight Delays and Cancellations at Detroit Metro Airport
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) indicated that the ground delay would be in place until 11:59 p.m. on December 29. Arriving flights were facing average delays of approximately one hour and ten minutes due to essential runway maintenance.
Impact on Passengers
Many travelers experienced substantial delays. Reports indicated that most passengers faced delays ranging from 40 minutes to two hours. Some, like James Blohm, had more significant issues, with his flight to New Orleans ultimately being canceled. He mentioned waiting over three hours to retrieve his luggage.
Snow Removal and Airport Operations
- Airport maintenance crews were actively engaged in clearing snow from runways and tarmacs.
- Visibility was reported to be severely affected by the ongoing snow squalls.
- Video footage displayed planes struggling to be seen amidst the heavy snowfall.
As of Monday evening, Detroit Metro Airport reported 435 flight delays and 72 cancellations, according to data from FlightAware. Departure delays averaged about 1 hour and 15 minutes, while arrival delays for flights already airborne increased between 31 to 45 minutes.
Advice for Travelers
Travelers are encouraged to check their flight status with airlines before arriving at the airport. Airport officials continue to monitor the weather, ensuring that snow removal operations remain a top priority.
