Delta Air Lines has encountered significant disruptions recently, particularly at major New York airports. These challenges stemmed from both ground stops and adverse weather conditions.
FAA Grounds Hundreds of Delta Flights
On Sunday, a ground stop was issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) at LaGuardia International Airport (LGA) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) due to winter weather. Snow and ice warnings triggered the FAA’s decision at 8 AM, significantly delaying flights.
Impact of the Ground Stop
The ground stop led to an average flight delay of over three hours. In total, there were around 9,565 flight delays across the United States that day, marking it as one of the most disruptive days this month.
Effects on New York Airports
- LaGuardia International Airport:
- 226 cancellations for departing flights
- 205 cancellations for arriving flights
- 42% of both arriving and departing flights were delayed
- John F. Kennedy International Airport:
- 363 delays for departing flights
- 150 cancellations for departing flights
- 123 cancellations for arrivals
Passengers faced immense challenges as both airports struggled to manage the influx of delays and cancellations. Delta Air Lines, which has a major presence at both hubs, was heavily affected.
Delta Air Lines Cancellations and Delays
On that same day, Delta Air Lines recorded 246 cancellations, the second-most in the world behind Republic Airlines. With 1,017 delays, 29% of its flights were impacted—though this was fewer than its main competitors.
- Flight Delays Across Airlines:
- Southwest Airlines: 1,361 delays
- American Airlines: 1,177 delays
- United Airlines: 1,051 delays
JetBlue also reported considerable delays, with 58% of its flights affected and 111 cancellations. These cancellations are expected to persist into Monday.
Continued Challenges on Monday
Early Monday, Delta Air Lines announced 73 additional cancellations, while JetBlue reported 29. This ongoing disruption is primarily due to the fallout from the weekend’s severe weather at LGA and JFK.
LaGuardia reported 19 cancellations for departing flights and 29 for arrivals, while JFK had 57 cancellations. Although both airports may still experience delays, the situation is anticipated to improve compared to Sunday.
