Hundreds of Flights Canceled at Charlotte Airport Amid Winter Storm

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Hundreds of flights were canceled at Charlotte Douglas International Airport on Friday and Saturday as a winter storm brought the first measurable snowfall to the region in nearly three years. According to FlightAware, 731 flights were canceled and 162 were delayed by 11 p.m. Friday, with additional cancellations and delays continuing into Saturday morning.

The majority of the disruptions affected American Airlines, for which Charlotte serves as a major hub. Other airlines also reported significant delays and cancellations as the storm brought snow, ice, and freezing temperatures to the area. Airport officials confirmed that the facility remained open and operational, with a dedicated fleet of nearly 40 snow removal and de-icing vehicles deployed to manage the conditions.

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm, warning residents of hazardous travel conditions. “We urge everyone to stay off the roads if possible and to check flight statuses before heading to the airport,” Stein said in a statement. The last time Charlotte recorded measurable snowfall was in January 2022, making this storm a rare event for the region.

Forecasters predicted 1-2 inches of snow for Charlotte, with higher accumulations north and west of Interstate 85. Areas south of the city faced a greater risk of ice accumulation, with up to a quarter-inch expected. The storm began Friday afternoon and transitioned to a wintry mix overnight, with precipitation expected to taper off by Saturday morning.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport officials emphasized their preparedness, noting that parking decks and airfield surfaces had been pretreated to prevent icing. A 12-hour rotating snow team was also on standby to ensure continuous operations. Despite these measures, travelers were advised to contact their airlines for updates before arriving at the airport.

The winter storm warning for most of North Carolina remained in effect until Saturday morning, with officials urging caution on roads and highways. The storm marked a significant weather event for the region, which has experienced a prolonged snow drought since early 2022.