Christmas break is among the busiest times of the year for the global airlines industry. This year, a plethora of flights across the globe are getting either delayed or cancelled in large volumes, due to the surging Covid-19 cases, amid the already rising Omicron variant cases everywhere.
According to reports worldwide, over 1,000 flights were cancelled into or out of the US on Christmas, accounting to lack of airline staff and disruption of travel plans amid rising Covid-19 cases.
Across the world, over 3,000 flights have been canceled during the Christmas period.
About 1,000 US Flights Cancelled on Christmas
According to a Forbes report, US airlines have cancelled over 600 flights, entering or leaving the country on Friday, with an additional 400 flights canceled on Saturday, leaving passengers stranded at airports during the Christmas holiday.
This was majorly due to staffing problems caused by the rising Omicron variant of Covid-19, causing shortages in airline crew, thereby disrupting travel plans for the industry.
About 627 U.S. flights were cancelled on Friday, while 2,146 flights were delayed. About 2,338 flights were cancelled worldwide on the same day.
US airlines United Airlines cancelled the highest number of flights in th U.S. on Friday, accounting to 188 in number, followed by Delta Air Lines and JetBlue, cancelling 167 and 73 flights, respectively.
In terms of airports, the report adds that Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey was the worst affected U.S. airport, with highest number of cancellations or delays, as Covid cases are on a surge in New Jersey and New York City.
According to airline companies, the major reason for flight cancellations is the rising Covid-19 cases, coupled with inclement weather. They added that this step was taken after high rate of crew members calling in sick.
According to a statement by Delta Airlines, cancelling flights was the last option after exhausting all options and resources, including rerouting and substitutions of aircrafts and crews.
White House chief medical adviser Anthony Fauci said earlier this week that large gatherings this holiday season are not safe from the coronavirus, even for those fully vaccinated with a booster shot.
“Christmas travel would increase the spread of the variant even among the fully vaccinated,” he added.
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