Here's How Long it Could Take Travel to Get Back to Normal After Winter Storm
More than 11,000 flights have been cancelled due to widespread winter storms throughout the United States — and experts say things aren't going to necessarily get better anytime soon.
Thrust Flight CEO Patrick Arnzen explained in a statement shared with Men's Journal that travelers will have to be patient as airlines begin testing out weather conditions. "A major winter storm can shut down travel in a matter of hours, but it can take days to clear the backlog of canceled and delayed flights," he said.
Clearing the backlog isn't all airlines have to think about. He added, "Pilot shortages slow that recovery because there are fewer qualified crews to cover re-routes, extra sections and repositioning flights. Expanding access to high-quality flight training is how we help the system recover faster when the next big disruption hits."
Flight delays and cancellations are pretty typical of major weather events, and Arnzen also pointed out that the rate at which airports and airlines bounce back is often dictated by how many people are available to work.
"Big winter storms are a reminder that recovery depends on people as much as planes," he also said. "When delays and cancellations stack up, airlines need enough qualified pilots and crews to rebuild schedules, reposition aircraft and keep travelers moving safely. Investing in training and opening more pathways into aviation is how we shorten the length and impact of disruptions the next time severe weather hits."
Air travel has slowly begun to recover after Winter Storm Fern
Though hundreds of thousands of people are still home without power, airports have begun greenlighting flights, albeit slowly. The New York Times reported Monday that transportation secretary Sean Duffy expects things won't begin to resemble normal until Wednesday.
"We’re looking at Wednesday as our hope to get back to a normal schedule," he said on an interview with CNBC. "The snow is subsiding in the northeast, so now it’s dig-out day.”
The Times also noted that Sunday was the worst day for flight cancellations since the COVID-19 pandemic. Boston Logan International Airport reported more cancellations than any other airport Monday, clocking in with at least 300 (or 60% of the airport's total flights per day). Approximately half of the departures at Kennedy Airport, La Guardia Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport have also been cancelled.
American Airlines has seen the most cancellations. Last week Delta Airlines cancelled flights in at least five states ahead of the storm, and the airline also sent additional support to airports in Atlanta, Georgia; Birmingham, Alabama; Huntsville, Alabama; Knoxville, Tennessee; and Nashville, Tennessee.
According to FlightAware, more than 4,000 flights have been cancelled so far this week. After American Airlines, the airlines cancelling the most flights are Republic, JetBlue, Delta, and Southwest.
Related: Delta Cancels Flights in Five States Ahead of Impending Winter Storm