US airlines cancel 5,400 flights in winter storm
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. airlines have scrapped about 5,400 flights today as a late-winter storm dumps snow on some of the nation's busiest airports.
Southwest Airlines, which carries more domestic passengers than any other airline, doesn't expect to operate any flights at 14 airports stretching from Washington to Portland, Maine. Southwest canceled about 900 flights, while American Airlines, JetBlue Airways and United Airlines each canceled more than 500.
Tracking service FlightAware.com says Tuesday's cancellations bring the total for the week to around 7,740 flights. An additional 650 flights have been canceled for Wednesday, a number that FlightAware expects to rise as the airlines scramble to resume operations.
Meanwhile, a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain has delayed school and work in Washington.
Officials urged people to stay off the roads today while crews clear them. While many surrounding counties called off classes, District of Columbia Public Schools are opening two hours late. Federal workers are reporting three hours late and city government offices are opening two hours late.