USA: thousands of flights cancelled, delayed amid heavy snow, freezing temperatures

Severe weather conditions in America reportedly forced the cancellation of thousands of flights on 22 December 2022.

Christmas season cheer was dampened as 2,270 flights in the US were cancelled amid snow, ice, rain, wind, and frigid temperatures. Making matters worse, more than 7,400 flights were delayed.

The impacts were felt hardest in Chicago and Denver, where around a quarter of arrivals and departures - hundreds of flights at each airport - were cancelled.

Temperatures at the O'Hare dropped to 9 degrees Fahrenheit (-13 Celsius) around 5 pm local time. The National Weather Service reported snow and freezing fog.

The FAA said departing aircraft at Dallas Love, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver and Minneapolis airports require spraying of de-icing fluid for safe travel, reported CNN.

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Meanwhile, many airlines have issued weather waivers allowing travellers to change their itineraries without penalty during a short window.

Airlines pre-emptively cancelled nearly 1,000 flights for 23 December, and over 80 for 24 December, according to news agency ANI.

(With agency inputs)