Severe weather conditions from Winter Storm Fern caused significant disruptions to commercial aviation across the eastern United States over the weekend. As a result, at least seven fatalities have been reported, and approximately 800,000 residents are without power. The impact on airlines and airports has been profound, with considerable delays and cancellations affecting travel plans for thousands.
Friday’s Operations: Delays Outnumber Cancellations
On January 23, 2026, airlines faced operational challenges, yet the majority of flights continued to operate, albeit with delays. According to data from FlightAware, regional carrier SkyWest Airlines reported 711 delays, accounting for 28% of its daily operations. In contrast, only 117 flights (4%) were cancelled that day.
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) emerged as the most impacted airport, experiencing 122 inbound cancellations (12%) alongside 166 delays (16%). American Airlines, the largest carrier at DFW, issued a travel advisory, informing passengers of potential options to change travel plans without incurring fees due to severe weather. The airline stated, “If your flight is impacted, we’ll reach out via email and app notifications.”
Saturday’s Surge in Cancellations
The situation deteriorated on January 24, as Winter Storm Fern intensified. Cancellations began to outpace delays, with American Airlines facing the brunt of the disruptions. The airline reported 1,068 cancellations, representing 35% of its operations for that day, alongside 498 delays (16%).
Other airlines such as Southwest Airlines (589 cancellations), Envoy Air (371), SkyWest (343), and PSA Airlines (268) also experienced considerable operational turmoil. DFW remained the worst-hit airport, with a staggering 775 outbound cancellations on Saturday, equating to 86% of its flights. Another 68 departures (7%) faced delays. Additionally, airports in Charlotte (241 cancellations), Nashville (152), Chicago O’Hare (139), and Atlanta (138) also reported significant disruptions.
Historic Cancellations on Sunday
The situation escalated further on January 25, with a total of 11,599 flight cancellations reported across the United States. This represented over 92.1% of the global cancellations that day, which totaled 12,589 according to FlightAware. American Airlines once again led the cancellations, reporting 1,898 cancellations (58%) alongside 754 delays (23%).
Other major airlines were also impacted severely, with Delta Airlines cancelling 1,484 flights, Southwest Airlines 1,347, and United Airlines 1,019. Republic Airways was not far behind with 911 cancellations. As airlines continue to assess and recover from the storm’s impact, the hope is that operations will stabilize in the coming days, allowing travelers to resume their plans.
As the eastern United States grapples with the aftermath of Winter Storm Fern, the scale of the disruptions serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by severe weather conditions on aviation. Travelers are urged to stay informed regarding flight statuses and potential changes to their travel itineraries.
