Severe Thunderstorms Cause Over 400 Flight Delays at Denver International Airport
Thunderstorms accompanied by high winds wreaked havoc on Colorado’s Front Range and Eastern Plains over the weekend, leading to significant disruptions at Denver International Airport (DIA). As a result, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground delay, halting numerous departures and causing widespread travel inconveniences.
Denver International Airport Ground Delay Affects Hundreds of Flights
By Saturday afternoon, the Federal Aviation Administration had implemented a ground delay at DIA due to severe weather patterns sweeping the region. Initially instated around 3 p.m., the alert was further extended to account for ongoing runway construction by 6 p.m. As a consequence, flights were delayed, on average, by 91 minutes.
According to Emegypt updates via FlightAware, a staggering 408 flights experienced delays by early evening, with United Airlines accounting for 148 of them. SkyWest Airlines followed closely with 112 flight delays, while Southwest Airlines reported 105.
Severe Weather Conditions and Expected Impacts
The National Weather Service warned of severe thunderstorms likely to produce winds reaching up to 60 mph, primarily affecting areas along and north of Interstate 70. These weather conditions are expected to persist into Saturday night.
- Thunderstorm winds up to 60 mph
- Highest impact north of Interstate 70
- Increasing southwest winds with gusts up to 40 mph region-wide
Flight Operations and Traveler Advisory
Travelers using Denver International Airport are advised to monitor flight status updates closely due to these weather disruptions. Additionally, those planning to travel on airlines such as United, SkyWest, and Southwest should anticipate possible delays and allow extra time for check-in and security procedures.
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