A major Nor’easter winter storm has hit the mid-Atlantic and New England, causing significant snowfall and widespread travel disruptions for air passengers on Tuesday.
FlightAware data shows over 1,400 flights canceled and nearly 700 delayed within the United States as of Tuesday morning due to the storm.
LaGuardia Airport in New York City is heavily impacted, with 43 percent of departing flights canceled for the day.
Boston Logan International Airport is also severely affected, with 27 percent of flights canceled.
Flight cancellations and travel advisories issued
Travelers should stay alert and use their airline’s app for the latest departure updates.
Major domestic carriers, including American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, and United Airlines, have issued weather-related travel advisories.
These advisories offer waivers for change fees and fare differences, enabling passengers to delay flights without penalty.
FAA executes ground stops and delay programs
The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) has implemented a ground stop at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport since 9 AM ET.
Various airports, including Boston, Newark, LaGuardia, Teterboro, Philadelphia, Dulles, Reagan, and Baltimore, are expecting more ground stops or delays after 11 AM ET.
Deicing measures impact aircraft turnaround times
Affected airports have implemented deicing procedures, complicating flight operations and increasing aircraft turnaround times.
Regional carriers like Republic and Endeavor Air have canceled 32 percent of their flights, while JetBlue, with major hubs in Boston and New York, leads domestic airlines in cancellations.
Winter storm watch issued for New York City
New York City is forecasted to endure the worst of the winter storm, starting late Monday with freezing rain and accumulating 1.4 inches of snow by early Tuesday.
The New York City Emergency Management Department has issued a winter storm watch until 6 PM Tuesday, with predictions of five to eight more inches of snowfall.
Chilly weather country-wide expected
Besides affecting the Northeast, below-freezing temperatures and arctic wind chills are sweeping across the country, extending from the Rocky Mountains to the Midwest.
Travelers advised to ready essential requirements
Amidst travel disruptions caused by severe weather events like the Nor’easter, international travelers need to be aware of programs such as the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
ESTA simplifies deciding visitors’ eligibility to travel to the United States with the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), enabling entry for tourism, business, or transit without a traditional visa.
Obtaining ESTA approval before travel enables eligible visitors to enter the United States easily, providing flexibility and simplifying travel arrangements, especially during uncertain times.