CHARLOTTE, N.C. – On Friday afternoon, Charlotte Douglas International Airport experienced significant disruption with hundreds of flight delays and dozens of cancellations. Reports indicate that by late evening, 731 flights were delayed and 135 had been cancelled.
The airport implemented a ground stop at 6:30 p.m. due to adverse weather conditions, which is anticipated to be lifted around 9 p.m. The Charlotte area has been forecasted to face storms throughout the evening, a situation mirrored by much of the East Coast experiencing strong to severe storms on the same day.
In light of the disruptions, American Airlines released a statement explaining that a technology issue affected connectivity for some of their systems earlier in the day. The airline assured that they addressed the issue with their partners, allowing their operations and customer applications to become fully operational again. Although delays were experienced, American Airlines confirmed that they had not cancelled any flights and expressed apologies to customers affected by the situation.
As travelers navigate the turbulence of extensive delays, it is hopeful that the quick response from airlines and improved weather conditions in the coming hours will ease the strain on airport operations.
Overall, while travel disruptions can be stressful, it highlights the resilience of the aviation industry as they work to rectify issues swiftly and keep passengers informed.