Airports Archives

US airlines cancel more than 2,500 weekend flights largely due to government shutdown

U.S. airlines have canceled more than 2,500 weekend flights mostly because of the government shutdown and the Federal Aviation Administration’s order to reduce air traffic. The slowdown at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports will head into its third day Sunday. So far there have not been any widespread disruptions. FlightAware reports that cancellations jumped Saturday to more than 1,500, following just over 1,000 the previous day. By Saturday evening airlines already had canceled another 1,000-plus Sunday flights.… Continue Reading

Airport cyberattack disrupts more flights across Europe

BRUSSELS (AP) — Fallout from a cyberattack that affected check-in systems at several European airports has extended into a second full day. Passengers are facing dozens of cancelled and delayed flights and airport teams are scrambling to limit the damage to travel plans. Starting late on Friday, key airports in Brussels, London and Berlin were hit by disruptions to electronic systems that snarled up check-in. Many other European airports were unaffected. The cyberattack affected systems of US-based Collins Aerospace that help passengers check in, print boarding passes and dispatch their luggage.… Continue Reading

Travelers may no longer be required to remove shoes before boarding a plane

For the first time in almost 20 years, travelers may no longer have to take off their shoes during security screenings at certain U.S. airports. The Transportation Security Administration is looking to abandon the requirement, according to media reports. If implemented, it would put an end to a security screening mandate put in place almost 20 years ago, several years after “shoe bomber” Richard Reid’s attempt to take down a flight from Paris to Miami in late 2001. Travel newsletter Gate Access was first to report that the security screening change is coming, with ABC News citing an internal memo sent to TSA officers last week that states the new policy lets travelers keep their shoes on during screenings at many U.S. airports beginning on Sunday.… Continue Reading

Meet Hercules and Ned, the border collies fending off wildlife at West Virginia’s busiest airport

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Two border collies have a full-time job keeping birds and other wildlife off the runway at West Virginia’s busiest airport. Hercules and Ned make daily patrols with their handler to keep planes and passengers safe along the milelong airfield at West Virginia International Yeager Airport. Hercules is 8 years old and has been on the job at the mountaintop airport in Charleston since 2018. Ned is 3 and was brought in last year. Hercules is also the airport’s chief ambassador, soaking in affection from passengers inside the terminal while providing calm for some nervously waiting to board a flight.… Continue Reading

Workers at Charlotte airport, an American Airlines hub, go on strike during Thanksgiving travel week

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Service workers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport have gone on strike during a busy week of Thanksgiving travel to protest what they say are unlivable wages. Employees of ABM and Prospect Airport Services authorized the work stoppage in North Carolina that started Monday morning. Union spokesperson Sean Keady says the strike is expected to last 24 hours. The companies contract with American Airlines to provide services such as cleaning airplane interiors, removing trash and escorting passengers in wheelchairs. Airport officials say this holiday travel season is expected to be the busiest on record. The companies have acknowledged the seriousness of a strike during the holiday travel season.… Continue Reading

‘Busiest Thanksgiving ever’: How the TSA plans to handle record air travel

DALLAS (AP) — The Thanksgiving travel rush is expected to be bigger than ever this year. AAA predicts that nearly 80 million people in the U.S. will venture at least 50 miles from home between Tuesday and next Monday — most of them by car. Thanksgiving Day falling so late this year has altered traditional travel patterns. At airports, the Transportation Security Administration says it could screen a record number of U.S. air travelers on Sunday. Meanwhile, the head of the Federal Aviation Administration says a shortage of air traffic controllers could cause flight delays. Service workers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport went on strike. Transportation analytics company INRIX says roads could be congested on Monday with both commuters and returning holiday travelers.… Continue Reading