Over 400 flights delayed, canceled at Tampa International Airport leaving Spring break travelers stranded

TAMPA, Fla. – Spring break journey plans are being disrupted for a whole bunch of passengers at Tampa International Airport after widespread flight delays and cancellations on Monday.

As of late Monday afternoon, greater than 400 flights arriving at or departing from the airport had been delayed or canceled. That accounts for greater than two-thirds of all scheduled arrivals and departures.

By comparability, fewer than 200 flights have been working on time across the identical time.

Airport officers say the disruptions are being pushed by climate situations throughout the nation, significantly within the Midwest and alongside the East Coast.

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The delays come throughout one of many busiest journey durations of the yr. Tampa International Airport had anticipated as many as 80,000 travelers per day to cross by the terminal in the course of the spring break rush.

What we all know:

Airport officers say the delays and cancellations are a part of a broader nationwide journey disruption.

As of Monday afternoon, greater than 3,400 flights throughout the United States had been canceled, with one other 5,400 delayed.

At Tampa International Airport, some passengers say they’ve been instructed it may take a number of days to search out an out there flight.

What they’re saying:

Some travelers say the sudden delays have left them scrambling to make new plans.

One passenger stated he had traveled to the Tampa Bay space whereas ready for outcomes from a medical check, hoping to take his thoughts off a current most cancers prognosis.

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“We didn’t even get a notice of our cancellation. We found out once we got here, so there’s no flight home. I’ve been diagnosed with cancer and I have to see the cancer doctor on Tuesday and [my wife] you have to see her pre-op doctor as well Tuesday, so we got to get home. Right now, we have nowhere to stay,” the passenger stated. “I came down here to St. Pete, waiting for another biopsy to come back to see if things are spread. [It was a] long weekend, take my mind off it, but I guess I’ll just be thinking about it now until I get home.

Other travelers say they are now planning to stay longer in the area because they cannot find an available flight.

“We have been looking for an outgoing flight, however that is been difficult sufficient, so we’re simply going to remain a pair extra days right here,” one other traveler stated.

The backstory:

A spokesperson for Tampa International Airport says the disruptions are being caused by severe weather affecting other parts of the country.

“That we’re experiencing various delays and cancellations because of climate situations throughout the nation, particularly the Midwest and East Coast. We encourage all passengers to verify with their airways for the newest flight data,” the spokesperson said in a statement to FOX 13.

Airport officials also say security checkpoints at the airport are not experiencing significant delays beyond the normal spring break crowds.

Travelers are still encouraged to arrive two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights.

What’s next:

Airport officials say the expectation is that flight schedules will return to normal in the coming days once weather conditions improve.

Tampa International Airport’s peak spring break travel day is expected to be Sunday, March 22.