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Hurricane Nicole: American Airlines waives change fees; some CLT flight issues

FILE Photo from 2021, Miami International Airport. Charlotte flight cancellations began Wednesday. Tropical Storm Nicole prompted American Airlines to waive change fees for flights connected to 20 airports in Florida, Georgia, the Bahamas and Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FILE Photo from 2021, Miami International Airport. Charlotte flight cancellations began Wednesday. Tropical Storm Nicole prompted American Airlines to waive change fees for flights connected to 20 airports in Florida, Georgia, the Bahamas and Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Getty Images

Charlotte flight cancellations continued Thursday. Tropical Storm Nicole prompted American Airlines to waive change fees for flights connected to 20 airports in Florida, Georgia, the Bahamas and Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

At least 59 flights were canceled by 12:45 p.m. Thursday between Charlotte Douglas International Airport and airports primarily in Florida, according to FlightAware.com, which tracks flights at the nation’s airports.

Most all of the flights were American Airlines and its PSA Airlines subsidiary, the tracking site showed. Charlotte is an American Airlines hub.

Although the storm’s heaviest rains aren’t expected in Charlotte until the overnight, Carolina Panthers’ fans might want to take a rain jacket to Thursday night’s NFL game at Bank of America Stadium, NWS meteorologist Trisha Palmer said.

Thursday night also is expected to be breezy, with Nicole-fueled gusts of around 35 mph, and temps in the low-60s are forecast, Palmer said. That combination could make for a chilly night in the stands, she said.

Wind advisory in Charlotte

The NWS issued a wind advisory for Mecklenburg and surrounding counties from 7 p.m. Thursday until 7 p.m. Friday.

“Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects,” according to the advisory. “Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.”

Flight changes, Hurricane Nicole

American Airlines passengers can reschedule their travel on aa.com or by calling 800-433-7300.

To assist customers in Nicole’s path who choose to evacuate via air, American added reduced, last-minute fares for cities expected to be impacted by the storm.

Southwest Airlines also has waived change fees to and from Nicole-impacted destinations.

This story was originally published November 9, 2022 at 12:20 PM.

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Joe Marusak
The Charlotte Observer
Joe Marusak has been a reporter for The Charlotte Observer since 1989 covering the people, municipalities and major news events of the region, and was a news bureau editor for the paper. He currently reports on breaking news. Support my work with a digital subscription
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