Airlines nixed more than 1,400 flights -- one of the worst days yet of the summer travel season.
Fort Worth-based American Airlines called off over 260 flights Thursday and delayed more than 1,000 others. Dallas-based Southwest Airlines canceled only 62 flights but also delayed over 1,000 others.Airlines canceled more than 1,400 flights in the U.S. on Thursday, one of the worst days yet for travel as the peak summer vacation season heats up.
The cancellations came less than three weeks after airlines kicked off the summer travel season by canceling about 2,800 flights in a five-day stretch around the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Thursday’s problems occurred as airline CEOs held a virtual meeting with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg — a sign of the Biden administration’s concern about the prospect of snarled airports and unhappy travelers this summer.
During the meeting, which took place by videoconference, Buttigieg asked the CEOs to describe steps they are taking to operate smoothly over the July 4 holiday and the rest of the summer, according to a person familiar with the call but not authorized to discuss it publicly.