Snow storm causes US flight disruption

More than 1,000 flights to and from the northeastern US were cancelled on 13 February, as a result of heavy snowfall in the region. The majority of the flight disruptions were at airports in New York City and Boston.

The disruption, which also saw many more flights delayed, was caused by a “quick-moving winter storm”, according to a report by the Associated Press.

While the storm passed through the region relatively quickly, there was a significant level of snowfall in several areas. According to National Weather Service reports, around 7.62 centimetres of snowfall was recorded in New York City, while in Pennsylvania and Connecticut, they recorded 38.1 centimetres.

In response to the cancellations, a number of airlines operating in the region waived change fees for passengers who were due to fly out that day from airports that were affected.

Airlines that implemented such measures included American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, and United.

A recent survey commissioned by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company found that weather-related delays or cancellations were this year’s top concern for US travellers.