US airlines cancel over 1,000 flights due to hurricane Helene

(Reuters) – Airlines in the United States have canceled or delayed thousands of flights on Thursday, as a strengthening hurricane Helene is expected to make a landfall in the Florida big bend this evening.

A total of 1,038 flights were canceled and 1,672 delayed as of 11:59 A.M. ET, according to flight tracking website FlightAware.

Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV) has canceled 201 flights, the most among the carriers, closely followed by American Airlines (NASDAQ:AAL) and Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL).

Officials have issued dire warnings and urged residents in coastal areas along the hurricane’s path to evacuate ahead of catastrophic winds and a potentially deadly storm surge.

Airports across impacted regions such as Tampa International, Orlando International and Fort Lauderdale International have also put out posts on X warning travelers of potential delays or cancellations.

American Airlines has issued a travel advisory for airports situated around Southeast U.S. and the Gulf of Mexico. JetBlue and Southwest Airlines, too, have issued similar advisories.