Airlines Issue Waivers Ahead of Sunday Storm
A massive winter storm is predicted to have a significant impact on travel throughout the Midwest amidst the hustle and bustle of post-Thanksgiving travel. Winter Storm Bruce is expected to bring heavy snow and sleet from the Rockies to the Upper Midwest beginning Saturday night. The National Weather Service anticipates "dangerous travel" conditions for the hardest hit areas. While those taking to the roads might come across traffic jams and slick road conditions, air travel will not be spared. Widespread delays are expected across the Midwest and Plains states.
Major airlines have issued travel waivers ahead of the winter storm. A list of airlines and the destinations included in each airline's waivers can be found below:
- American Airlines (Traveling on Nov. 24 - 25): Waterloo, Iowa (ALO), Appleton, Wisconsin (ATW), Cedar Rapids, Iowa (CID), Columbia, Missouri (COU), Dubuque, Iowa (DBQ), Des Moines, Iowa (DSM), Green Bay, Wisconsin (GRB), Kansas City, Missouri (MCI), Milwaukee, Wisconsin (MKE), Moline, Illinois (MLI), Madison, Wisconsin (MSN), Chicago, Illinois (ORD), Peoria, Illinois (PIA)
- Delta Air Lines (Traveling on Nov. 25 - 26): Bloomington, IL (BMI), Cedar Rapids, IA (CID), Chicago-O'Hare (ORD), Chicago-Midway (MDW), Des Moines, IA (DSM), Kansas City, MO (MCI), Lincoln, NE (LNK), Milwaukee, WI (MKE), Moline, IL (MLI), Madison, WI (MSN), Omaha, NE (OMA), Peoria, IL (PIA)
- Southwest Airlines (Traveling on Nov. 24 - 26): Chicago (MDW), Des Moines (DSM), Kansas City (MCI), Milwaukee (MKE), Omaha (OMA), Wichita (ICT)
- United Airlines (Traveling on Nov. 24 - 26): Appleton, WI (ATW), Cedar Rapids, IA (CID), Columbia, MO (COU), Chicago-O'Hare, IL (ORD), Des Moines, IA (DSM), Green Bay, WI (GRB), Hays, KS (HYS), Kearney, NE (EAR), Kansas City, MO (MCI), Madison, WI (MSN), Milwaukee, WI (MKE), Moline, IL (MLI), Omaha, NE (OMA), Peoria, IL (PIA), Quincy, IL (UIN), Scottsbluff, NE (BFF), Wichita, KS (ICT)
Airports that will prove especially problematic are bolded above. Among some of these more problematic airports are Chicago's O'Hare (ORD) and Midway (MDW) as winter weather is expected to move into the Chicago area by Sunday morning. Major hubs for airlines including American, Southwest, and United, these Chicago airports carry many passengers traveling to or from Midwestern cities.
Winter Storm Bruce is expected to continue its wrath as it makes its way east, with the latest forecasts indicating winter weather affecting Detroit, MI, and cities throughout the Ohio Valley.
As with any potential disruption, stay up to date with the latest forecasts and check with your airline via mobile app or over the phone prior to leaving for the airport.
