Over 1,500 flights in U.S. canceled, as thunderstorms slam Northeast, causing chaos for travelers

More than 2,600 flights have been canceled and close to 7,900 have been delayed across the United States on July 16 as a result of severe thunderstorms battering the Northeast region. Data from FlightAware indicated that airports in the affected areas have been grappling with the majority of disruptions, while passengers face significant inconveniences and travel setbacks.

Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey has been hit the hardest, with 362 flights canceled and 337 flights experiencing delays, as per FlightAware. John F. Kennedy International Airport has seen 318 canceled flights and 426 delayed flights. LaGuardia Airport has reported 270 cancellations and 292 delays, while Boston Logan International Airport has recorded 259 cancellations and 459 delays.

Major airlines have been adversely affected by the ongoing weather conditions. JetBlue, in particular, has suffered a significant impact, with 27% (283) of its flights canceled and 43% (445) experiencing delays. Republic Airways, a regional airline, has also been heavily affected, with 32% (320) of its flights canceled and 20% (201) delayed. Endeavor Air, a Delta subsidiary operating as a regional airline, has seen 26% (174) of its flights canceled and 18% (122) delayed.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) took to Twitter on July 16 to alert travelers about the slow-moving thunderstorms causing delays in the Northeast, Midwest, and Southeast regions. These storms have been persistent throughout the day, leading to a cascade of cancellations and delays that have disrupted travel plans for many passengers.

While flight cancellations and delays have been a significant concern, the thunderstorms have also triggered a flood watch affecting over 56mn people in the Northeast. As heavy rainfall moved through the region on July 16, flash flooding was reported in parts of Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.