An air traffic control computer issue reportedly caused hundreds of delays at Florida airports on Monday. The trouble was caused on one of the busiest travel days of the holidays.
According to the Federal Aviation Association (FAA), the issue began at around 1pm and was resolved later in the day. The FAA statements were updating passengers throughout the day “The FAA is working toward safely returning to a normal traffic rate in the Florida airspace”.
Aviation Today reports that the operational disruptions led to an average delay of almost three hours. Flight Aware confirmed that Denver airport led the nation in cancellations during the day.
According to CNN the center is responsible for controlling millions of cubic miles of airspace for commercial flights over Florida. On the other side of the country, Denver International Airport saw its own operational disruptions as freezing fog led to mass delays.
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Air Traffic Control Issues Cause Disruptions In Florida And Denver
What we know:
Some of Florida’s key airports were affected by air traffic control issues including Miami International Airport (MIA), Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), and Orlando International Airport (MCO).
Around 750 flights set to depart Denver International were delayed and almost 130 flights were canceled. The weather and freezing fog has much to do with their disruptions.
Challenging conditions for passengers
Flight Aware reports that Orlando International Airport saw 221 outbound flights and 246 inbound flights delayed. Fort Lauderdale International Airport had 186 outbound flights delayed and 152 inbound flights delayed. In a similar fashion, Miami International Airport saw major disruptions including 111 flight delays.
Simultaneously, high passenger volumes and extreme weather conditions have caused delays and cancellations across the country, Florida and Denver were hit particularly hard.
Stress during Holiday period
Not only has the Holiday period led to more travel nationally and internationally, but it is also an apparent travel comeback from the pandemic. On Monday 2nd January 2023 alone, 42,000 passenger flights were scheduled.
Related: Ongoing Stress Following Mass Flight Delays And Cancellations Over Christmas Period