US carriers are slowly resuming operations in storm-battered mid-Atlantic states as former Hurricane Florence continues to cause heavy rains and flooding.
The tropical storm on Saturday US East Coast time had moved inland over eastern South Carolina and was forecast to turn westward and then northward through the Carolinas and Ohio Valley by Monday.
Delta Air Lines said it was operating a reduced flight schedule, reflecting the airline’s primary concerns for safety, and it had canceled almost 250 flights since Wednesday US time as a result of the storm.
“Following the re-opening of Charleston, S.C., (CHS) Saturday afternoon, Delta will resume operations with seven arrivals and two departures,’’ the airline said.
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“All operations at Fayetteville, N.C., (FAY), Jacksonville, N.C., (OAJ), Myrtle Beach, S.C., (MYR), New Bern, N.C., (EWN) and Wilmington, N.C., (ILM) have been cancelled for Saturday and are expected to resume Sunday afternoon pending continued assessments of airport facilities and infrastructure.”
American Airlines, which operates a hub at Charlotte, said Saturday it was also preparing to resume operations.
“Due to the storm, a number of airports continue to remain closed along the North Carolina/South Carolina coast,’’ it said. Our team of meteorologists at the American Airlines Integrated Operations Center (IOC) in Fort Worth, Texas, are closely monitoring the track of this storm as we prepare to resume operations.
“At our Charlotte hub, we anticipate scattered cancellations through midday on Sept. 16.
“The majority of these cancellations will be on smaller, regional aircraft.”
Airlines continue to provide travel waivers for destinations affected by the storm.
Delta said it would also dispatch a team of more than 30 employees to Charleston and other hurricane-impacted destinations to help restart flight operations.
“Even as Florence's worst effects diminish, Delta will be keeping a close eye on flooding and damages to city and airport infrastructure that may pose additional challenges to resuming flights,’’ it said.
“The airline will continue to send supplies such as non-perishable food and water where needed and is also warning airports to the west of the coastal Carolina region to stay alert as conditions and forecast predictions may change.”
Passengers have been advised by their carriers to check websites, apps and texts for more information.
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