ORLANDO, Fla. – The massive winter storm that Orlando International Airport passengers have grown to hate over the past 24 hours is sweeping across the U.S. and now sagging south.
According to Flightaware.com, airports nationwide have seen 3,500 delays and 2,000 cancellations today.
MCO’s flight status website reveals 173 flights delayed and 64 cancellations since Sunday night.
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It just so happens that the winter storm is slamming some of the biggest cities with the biggest airport hubs, like in Dallas, Texas where it is getting lake-effect snow. Houston is also under a hard freeze warning. Chicago is under a wind chill warning and New York City is facing a winter weather advisory.
How is Central Florida impacted when the weather here is some of the best in the country?
Planes are stuck on the ground at MCO because they can’t go where they’re supposed to go, and likewise planes are stuck on the ground at affected cities and can’t get to MCO.
Just about every airline is affected while United is already handicapped because 79 of its planes are grounded. The 737 Max 9 can’t fly until cleared by the FAA.
And the storm isn’t over, so neither are delays or cancellations. It will take days before flight schedules return to normal.
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