Hurricane Sandy diversion

[Ken S]

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/GTI5410

Good morning from FlightAware.com,

Over 3,000 flight cancellations so far as a result of Hurricane Sandy -- details below:
707 flights cancelled to/from/within the US today. Most affected is Newark (EWR), a United hub, with over 265 cancellations today.

2,499 flights cancelled to/from/within the US tomorrow (Monday). Most affected is Newark (EWR), with 774 cancellations, second is Dulles with 428 cancellations, third is Philadelphia with 355 cancellations.

Although most air traffic control towers will close when the wind reaches 60-70kts, the big factor that will result in early flight disruptions is mass transit shutdowns and the availability of airline and airport staff due to their need to prepare for the storm. For example, NYC MTA is planning a 7pm train shutdown this evening. Another big factor potentially affecting coastal airports is high tide; LGA is the most likely big airport to close (only 4ft above high tide), followed by JFK.

United Airlines is expected to be most affected; they have hubs near NYC (EWR) and DC (IAD). United will be shutting down DC operations around 7-8pm tonight with a plan to resume flights sometime on Tuesday after 12p. United will be shutting down PHL and JFK/EWR/LGA operations tonight between 6-7pm with a plan to resume operations sometime after 6pm on Tuesday.

US Airways will announce their cancellation schedule at noon today although their regional carrier, Air Wisconsin, has already cancelled flights on Monday at PHL and DCA. JetBlue is also deciding later pending determination of staffing availability.

Every airline is allowing fee-free changes (and refunds in some cases) for itineraries potentially impacted by the storm. The best way to make flight changes is on airline websites; call centers are typically overwhelmed during major events.

We expect the number of flight cancellations for tomorrow and Tuesday to rise considerably throughout the day and will send another update this evening.

[Mike Bridge]

Wow sounds bad!

[Brogs]

All Flights to the US from the UK have been cancelled !

[raa57]

Seems theres still a few heroes trying to fly round the hurricane in turboprops

http://uk.flightaware.com/live/flight/N1691R
http://uk.flightaware.com/live/flight/N831TM

Nuts or what??

Terry

[Brogs]

Definitely NUTS !!!!

[mvm]

I'm 60 miles north of Detroit and we are getting pounded!!! 23ft waves in Lake Huron..never seen that in my life..all ships are at dockside..bigger surf right now than the night the Fitz went to the bottom of Superior in 1975...I'm really surprised I still have power right now