Wicked weather in the U.S., a government shutdown and war in the Middle East have grounded and delayed flights around the world this week, and it looks like the trend will continue.
As of Tuesday afternoon, FlightAware reported that there were 16,425 flight delays around the world, including 6,123 within, into or out of the U.S. There were also 2,077 reported cancellations, with 1,131 cancellations reported within, into or out of the U.S.
Delta Airlines was reporting the most cancellations at 348, followed by Qatar airways with 263. Southwest, however, reported the most delays at 1,039, followed by Delta with 895.
Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, reported the most cancellations at 160, followed by Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Ga., with 80. Hartsfield-Jackson had the most delays at 350, followed by O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, Ill., with 259.
According to a report in the Qatar Tribune, “a limited number of flights will operate from Hamad International Airport starting on Wednesday, March 18, as authorities continue to manage disruptions caused by the temporary closure of Qatari airspace due to the current regional situation.”
In addition to the years-long conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, Tuesday marked the 17th day of further conflict in the area followed by U.S. and Israeli strikes in Iran. CNN reported this week that “Israeli military said it killed the head of Iran’s Basij paramilitary force in a targeted strike on Monday,” as U.S. president Donald Trump tried to convince countries to help promote the flow of traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, an important route for crude oil off the Iranian coast.
More than 860 delays were already expected for Wednesday by Tuesday afternoon, as well as 434 cancellations. No delays were yet expected within, into or out of the U.S., but 58 cancellations were expected.
Another 114 delays were projected for Thursday, along with 102 projected cancellations. Of those, none of the delays were expected for flights within, into or out of the U.S., but two cancellations were projected.
NBC News noted that Tuesday’s delays in the U.S. came “one day after powerful storms swept across the eastern half of the country and upended air travel in a cross-section of cities.” It also noted that “travelers have been facing additional jams at airport security checkpoints as a partial government shutdown strains screener staffing.”
Audacy Station WBBM Newsradio reported this week that high winds and thunderstorms resulted in 1,000 canceled flights at area airports. In Minneapolis, Jason DeRusha of Audacy station WCCO News Talk spoke with Matty Dymoke, the assistant director of the Bloomington Kennedy Show Choir about trying to get more than 80 people home after their flight from Los Angeles, Calif., was canceled by the weather.
Regarding the impact of the partial government shutdown that began in mid-February, CBS News said that it has “held up paychecks for employees of the Transportation Security Administration,” while Congress remains “deadlocked” over immigration issues. More than 300 TSA staffers have quit since the shutdown began and call out rates more than doubles, CBS reported citing data obtained exclusively by the outlet.
Acting Deputy TSA Administrator Adam Stahl has warned that the shutdown might impact travel. He told Fox News during an interview on “Fox & Friends” that some smaller airports may even be forced to shut down.
TSA is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which has been closed during the shutdown and is at the center of contention regarding the fatal actions of federal agents participating in crackdowns on illegal immigration in Minneapolis, Minn. CNBC reported Tuesday that Senate Democrats sent a counteroffer to reopen the department.