Problems in Dallas lead to hours-long delays at Columbia Regional Airport
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Hundreds of flights out of DFW International Airport and Dallas Love Field were delayed on Tuesday because of rain storms and technical issues.
Delays at DFW International Airport, a major hub for American Airlines, had disrupted flights at Columbia Regional Airport. Departing flights 3341 (scheduled for 7:09 a.m.) and 3582 (scheduled for 12:11 p.m.) were delayed. Both flights left in the afternoon, being delayed for around seven and three hours respectively.
Arriving Flight 3597, expected at 6:42 p.m., was also delayed and eventually arrived at 8:26 p.m. The delays came as people around the country traveled for the Christmas holiday.
Elise Richard, who was waiting for her sister to arrive on flight 3597 told ABC 17 News that the delays greatly affected her holiday. According to Richard, her sister was up traveling since around 3 a.m. with delays throwing a wrench in her travel plans.
"It's been kind of frustrating trying to keep up with her and keep track of where she is going to be, we had a big dinner this evening and we were hoping to have her join us, but we've pretty much been on standby all day," Richard said.
According to ABC 17 News Stormtrack Meteorologist Sawyer Jackson, weather delays take multiple hours to get flights back up often due to lingering turbulence in the area. So even if the weather seems clear, it's not guaranteed planes can make it off the ground.
"[Airlines] are just kind of making sure they are avoiding all possible outcomes of running into that thunderstorm," Jackson said.
"The Columbia Regional Airport understands that weather sometimes impacts travel plans of our customers," Columbia Regional Airport Manager Michael Parks told ABC 17 News in an email. "We do what we can to make delays as comfortable as possible when weather is less than desirable in other areas that impact flights. City staff are also present 24 hours a day and are always available if passengers have questions or concerns about the facility."
