Funviralpark Houston, TX (KTRK) — Severe winter weather is creating a pre-Christmas travel nightmare. Therefore, travelers heading to the airport should be prepared for delays and cancellations.
The American Automobile Association reports that nearly 7.2 million Americans will fly during the holiday weekend, close to pre-pandemic numbers.
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Locally, 140,000 people are expected to pass through George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Friday alone, and 40,000 are expected to pass through William P. Hobby on the same day.
As of 6 p.m. Friday, there were 23,763 delays and 8,207 cancellations in the United States, according to FlightAware. Houston experienced a total of 401 delays and 84 cancellations at Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport. Outside Hobby Airport, there have been 186 delays and 40 cancellations.
Alex Overland and Kevin Holt are heading home for Christmas, and three flights have been canceled at Bush Airport.
“We knew the weather was going to get worse, so we changed our flight before the early flight was cancelled,” Overland said. “My plans have changed this afternoon. I’m on an Uber and it was canceled on the way here, so I don’t know what to do.”
Thousands were expected to pass through Houston’s airport on Friday, so they are just some of what is currently being scrambled.
Related: What to do if your flight is canceled or delayed? How to prepare for possible travel disruptions in 2022
“I woke up this morning, got out of bed, got the kids and got a text that my flight to Nashville was (cancelled),” said Daniel Johnson.
Trying to warm up at the airport, Kim Ultimari longs to see her grandchildren who have been waiting for hours at the terminal after a delayed flight.
“I wish I was there already,” said Ultimari. “I received another text saying I will be late until 6:04.”
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