Adverse weather conditions from Winter Storm Fern severely disrupted commercial aviation operations across the eastern United States over the weekend of January 23-25, 2026. The storm’s impact resulted in at least seven fatalities and left approximately 800,000 people without power. This extreme weather created significant challenges for airlines and airports, leading to an unprecedented number of delays and cancellations.
Friday’s Disruption: Delays Outnumber Cancellations
On Friday, January 23, operational disruptions were significant, but the situation was manageable as delays outnumbered cancellations. Data from FlightAware revealed that regional carrier SkyWest Airlines led the day with 711 delays, amounting to 28% of its total daily operations. In contrast, only 117 flights were cancelled, which represented just 4% of its operations.
Among the airports, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) experienced the highest level of disruption, recording 122 cancellations (12%) of inbound flights, while 166 flights (16%) were delayed. In response to the worsening weather conditions, American Airlines, the major carrier operating at DFW, issued a travel advisory. The advisory indicated that affected passengers might be eligible for travel changes without incurring fees, depending on the situation.
Saturday’s Surge in Cancellations
The adverse weather intensified on Saturday, January 24, leading to a notable increase in cancellations. American Airlines encountered the most significant impact, with 1,068 cancellations, accounting for 35% of its daily operations. Alongside this, the airline also recorded 498 delays (16%). Other carriers, including Southwest Airlines (589 cancellations), Envoy Air (371), SkyWest (343), and PSA Airlines (268), faced substantial cancellations.
DFW continued to be the hardest-hit airport, with a staggering 775 outbound cancellations (86%) on this day. An additional 68 flights (7%) were delayed. Other airports such as Charlotte (241 cancellations), Nashville (152), Chicago O’Hare (139), and Atlanta (138) also reported significant cancellation figures, reflecting the widespread disruption to air travel.
Sunday’s Record Cancellations
The situation deteriorated further on Sunday, January 25, when a total of 11,599 flights were cancelled across the United States. This figure represented over 92.1% of global cancellations reported by FlightAware, which totaled 12,589. American Airlines led the cancellations with 1,898 (58%) of its flights axed, alongside 754 delays (23%).
The impact was not limited to American Airlines, as three other major carriers also reported over 1,000 cancellations that day: Delta Airlines (1,484), Southwest Airlines (1,347), and United Airlines (1,019). Republic Airways was close behind with 911 cancellations. As airlines began to assess the situation on Monday, January 26, reports indicated that hundreds of additional cancellations were already noted, although there was cautious optimism that the worst disruptions may have passed.
The significant impact of Winter Storm Fern on air travel underscores the challenges posed by extreme weather conditions. As airlines and airports work to recover, it remains crucial for travelers to stay informed and prepared for ongoing disruptions in the coming days.
