Hurricane Helene disrupts Charlotte airport flights. Here’s what to know if you’re flying
More than 2,000 flights at Charlotte’s airport have been disrupted during the past two days, as Hurricane Helene drenches the region and thwarts travelers’ plans.
As of Friday morning, Charlotte Douglas International had 475 flights delayed and 349 that were canceled, according to according to FlightAware, an online website providing real-time information.
Adding that total since airlines began delaying and canceling flights ahead of Helene on Wednesday, 2,042 flights have been disrupted this week.
“Hurricane Helene is causing numerous flight delays and cancellations across the region,” a CLT spokesperson told The Charlotte Observer in an email. “We recommend passengers check their airline’s flight status before heading to the airport, including those picking up arriving passengers.”
The airport also noted that “many roads around the airport are closed or affected by flooding,” and advise passengers to check traffic conditions before driving to the airport.
Hurricane Helene made landfall late Thursday night, hitting the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia as it became a dangerous Category 4 storm, according to the National Weather Service.
The airport said the cancellations and delays are primarily affecting flights from Florida. CLT is working with aviation, local, state and federal officials. Maintenance teams are on standby to respond to heavy rain and strong winds.
Charlotte Douglas is advising passengers to check with the airlines regarding the status of their flight before coming to the airport.
Is Charlotte Douglas closed?
The airport is open for business on Friday.
American Airlines, which accounts for about 87% of all flights out of CLT, began issuing travel alerts on Wednesday for airports in the Southeast, with Charlotte Douglas among them.
The airline reduced operations at its CLT hub this morning, but American is working to restore normal service as conditions improve, according to spokeswoman Bri Harper.
There are no stranded American Airlines passengers at Charlotte Douglas. For customers with canceled flights, the airline is working to rebook them.
Passengers may rebook trips and will not be charged for change fees. Customers can reschedule their travel on aa.com or by calling 800-433-7300.
American resumed operations Friday morning at Key West, Fort Myers, Sarasota and Tampa airports in Florida. The airline is planning to resume normal operations later at Florida’s Tallahassee, Gainesville and Jacksonville airports.
Airline officials suspended service in Augusta, Ga. because of damage at the airport. Operations will resume after the facility reopens.
American also resumed normal operations at Grand Cayman, Cancun and Cozumel for international travel.
“American will continue tracking this system with our customers’ and team members’ safety top of mind,” an airline spokesperson said.
Weather trackers are expecting Helene to cause life-threatening storm surge and hurricane-force winds for Florida’s panhandle and western coasts, according to the National Weather Service.
N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper declared a State of Emergency on Wednesday.
Along with heavy rain, Cooper said threats include flash flooding, landslides and damaging winds to the mountains and Piedmont area of the state.
“Now is the time for North Carolinians to prepare, make sure emergency kits are up-to-date and pay attention to the weather alerts in your area,” Cooper said in a news release.
This story was originally published September 26, 2024 at 10:21 AM.
