All Southwest Airlines flights out of Midway canceled Wednesday
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Southwest Airlines has canceled all remaining flights Wednesday from Midway International Airport as other airlines are reporting weather-related delays and cancellations at both airports.
Southwest said it has canceled 400 flights across the country, including the departures from Chicago, due to the incoming winter weather. The airline said it plans to resume its normal schedule Thursday between 5-6 a.m.
"As the storm moves, our planners will make any necessary adjustments to the schedule to ensure the Safety of the airline's Employees, and Customers," an airline statement said.
The Chicago Department of Aviation said as of 8:30 p.m. O'Hare International Airport was reporting delays of 30-90 minutes for inbound and outbound flights and 975 flights canceled. At Midway International airport, some flights are delayed 20 minutes or more and 210 flights were canceled.
American Airlines said it has also canceled more than 175 flights out of O'Hare.
"We're just here waiting, hopefully it will let up and they'll start opening up flights and I'll be back to the sunny weather in Houston," said Tavares Jackson, a traveler from Houston.
Brian Nagorski and his sons are trying to make it to Salt Lake City for a ski trip this weekend. Originally, their flight was out of Midway, which was cancelled. The rushed to O'Hare and booked another flight which, so far, is scheduled to take off.
"Hopefully we're going to get out tonight," Nagorski said.
Travelers should check the status of their flights before heading to the airport. United Airlines and American Airlines said they will waive fees if travelers would like to change their plans.
Southwest was offering travel waivers to anyone willing to change their flight plans Wednesday and Thursday. Southwest said Midway, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Flint, Indianapolis, and St. Louis would likely be hardest hit. More details on travel waivers can be found here.
Other airlines were also offering travel waivers:
The National Weather Service issued several alerts for the Chicago area Wednesday.
