Omicron surge: More than 900 flights canceled in the US on Christmas day

Over 900 flights were suspended in the United States on Saturday. It was the second successive day of massive cancellations. As rising COVID-19 infections made some pilots and other crew unavailable, disrupting plans for tens of thousands of holiday travellers. According to a running tally on flight-tracking website FlightAware.com, a total of 937 Christmas Day flights, including domestic and international flights, were cancelled, up from 690 on Christmas Eve. Almost 1,500 flights were rescheduled.

United Airlines cancelled 230 flights and American Airlines cancelled 90 mainline flights

The festivals are commonly an active period for air travel, but the rapid spread of the highly catching Omicron variant has created a massive spike in COVID-19 infections, compelling airlines to discontinue flights while pilots and crew are quarantined. United Airlines cancelled 230 flights and American Airlines cancelled 90 mainline flights, according to separate statements from the companies. 

“The nationwide spike in Omicron cases this week has had a direct impact on our flight crews and the people who run our operation,” United spokesperson Maddie King said. She contended that the cancellations accounted for only a small portion of United’s 4,000 average daily flights during the holiday season. She asserted that the revocations accounted for only a small portion of United’s 4,000 average daily flights during the holiday season. Winter weather and Omicron forced Delta Air Lines to cancel 344 of its approximately 3,000 scheduled flights on Saturday, “after tiring out all options and aids to prevent those cancellations,” a company spokesperson said.

Nearly 2,650 flights were cancelled and 6,233 others were delayed around the world

“Delta people are working together around the clock to reroute and substitute aircraft and crews to get customers where they need to be as quickly and safely as possible.” As of 3:27 p.m. ET, FlightAware data showed that nearly 2,650 flights were cancelled and 6,233 others were delayed around the world. Atlanta’s Hartford-Jackson International, New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International, Los Angeles International, and New York’s JFK International were among the most affected U.S. airports. Officials in the United States have acknowledged that people who have been completely immunized should feel safe travelling during the holidays. 

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