Winter Storm Disrupts Flights at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport

A severe winter storm swept through metro Atlanta on Friday, grounding flights and disrupting travel plans for thousands of passengers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world’s busiest airport. The storm brought heavy snowfall and ice, leading to significant delays, cancellations, and ground stops.

More than 1,400 flights to and from Atlanta were canceled, and over 350 flights were delayed as of 9 p.m. on Friday. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported multiple ground stops throughout the day, with average delays nearing four hours. The FAA estimated that a ground delay program would remain in effect until at least 9:49 p.m.

Delta Air Lines, Atlanta’s largest carrier, canceled approximately 1,100 flights, while Endeavor Air and Southwest Airlines reported 196 and 127 cancellations, respectively. Delta acknowledged the challenges posed by the storm, which forced the closure of all five runways at the airport by mid-morning. “Delta is managing worse-than-expected winter weather across the Southeast this weekend, including at our Atlanta hub,” the airline said in a statement.

Passengers faced significant disruptions, with many stranded at the airport overnight. One traveler told FOX 5 Atlanta reporter Rob DiRienzo that he couldn’t find a single open room at local hotels and would sleep on the airport floor. FOX 5 employees, including photojournalist Matt Stringer and reporter Tyler Fingert, were among those caught in the travel chaos. Stringer described a 15-hour ordeal involving multiple boarding attempts and cancellations, while Fingert recounted delays starting at 4 a.m. for a flight initially scheduled for 6 a.m.

The storm also caused an aborted takeoff of a Delta plane due to an engine problem, resulting in four minor injuries. Despite the challenges, Delta expects to recover operations on Saturday as weather conditions improve. The airline has issued fare-difference waivers and is waiving bag fees for affected passengers.

Travelers are advised to check flight statuses before heading to the airport and allow extra time for travel, as icy roads continue to pose challenges. The Georgia Department of Transportation is working to treat roadways, but conditions remain hazardous.