TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Midwest Storm Disrupts Flight Schedules At TIA

The Associated Press

Heavy snow, sleet and rain fell in Illinois and Indiana today.

ADVERTISEMENT

By TED JACKOVICS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 19, 2008

Updated: 12/19/2008 12:06 pm

TAMPA - Commercial flight disruptions from a major storm moving through the Midwest and into the Northeast this morning have caused the cancellation of 16 arrivals and departures at Tampa International Airport and schedule changes on 100 more flights.

Airlines posted schedule changes for about 75 arriving flights, including a few expected to arrive in Tampa a little early, while schedules for 25 departures were delayed.

Passengers are advised to contact their airlines, and not the airport, for updated flight information.
Most local passengers apparently were staying abreast of changes and were rebooking flights if they could, said Christine Osborn, community relations coordinator at Tampa International.

"Considering the weather in the North, operations are running very smoothly here for the opening of the holiday season," Osborn said.

The Federal Aviation Administration reported the following snow and ice -related issues this morning:

General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee was closed at 6 a.m. Eastern Standard Time because of snow and ice. The time when it is expected to reopen is not known.

Departures bound for Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport were being delayed an average of 51 minutes.

Departures to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport were delayed an average of 2 hours 28 minutes.

Departures to Chicago O'Hare International Airport were being delayed an average of 2 hours 46 minutes.

Departures to Philadelphia International Airport were being delayed an average of 2 hours 10 minutes.

Departures to Newark Liberty International Airport will not be allowed before 12:15 p.m.

American Airlines was one of the earliest carriers to post revised travel policies for changing reservations without penalty within guidelines for various destinations posted at aa.com. Other airlines were expected to do the same.

The National Weather Service forecast snowfalls up to 14 inches in the Northeast, while snow and freezing rain continue this morning in the Midwest.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT