DENVER (KDVR) — Following a weekend marked by winter weather, Denver International Airport continues to struggle with significant delays and cancellations. The travel chaos commenced on Friday, when all planes were grounded due to heavy morning fog, leading the airport to issue its first ground stop of the weekend.
By the day’s end, more than 800 flights had been delayed from DIA, along with 12 cancellations. The difficulties persisted through Saturday, as intense fog coupled with snow flurries caused over 1,100 flights to be delayed and another 70 to be canceled. Almost as if the travel woes had no end, by Sunday afternoon, nearly 100 flights were canceled, and over 400 remained delayed.
The disruptions have carried over to Monday, marking the fourth consecutive day of weather-related complications. According to data from FlightAware, approximately 251 flights were delayed, and 55 had been canceled just before 2 p.m. on Monday, with the lion’s share of cancellations involving arrivals at the airport. Notably, only 15 flights had been canceled heading out of Denver.
Southwest Airlines has borne the brunt of the cancellations and delays, reporting 21 cancellations and 81 delays, highlighting the strain on their operations during the inclement weather. Despite the high volume of disruptions, the airport has yet to provide specific reasons for the delays on Monday, though they acknowledge the continued impact from the weather issues encountered over the previous days.
Travelers are advised to stay vigilant, as Denver is expected to receive additional winter weather on both Monday and Tuesday. A Pinpoint Weather Alert Day has been issued for Tuesday, anticipating several inches of snow beginning Monday night. With the potential for worsening conditions, travelers should check their flight information and review forecasts before making their way to the airport.
The weekend’s extreme weather has underscored the challenges faced by airlines and airports when severe conditions strike. It serves as a reminder of how quickly travel plans can be disrupted and the importance of planning for contingencies during winter travel.
The outlook for flights returning to normal remains unclear as the weather deteriorates again heading toward Tuesday. With continued vigilance and updates from the airline and airport, travelers can navigate this challenging situation more effectively.