FORT LAUDERDALE-HOLLYWOOD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, FLA. (WSVN) - While many flights were canceled because of COVID concerns over the weekend, airport traffic, however, has slowed Monday after a busy holiday weekend.
After a weekend of canceled flights, things appear to be getting back on track.
“Everything’s going good right now,” said traveler Andrew Liddel.
“So far, pretty smoothly,” one man said. “We’ve only been here for about 20 minutes, so not too bad.”
While there are no major issues with outbound flights, many inbound flights are still delayed after major travel headaches over the weekend.
“My flight was canceled yesterday,” one traveler said.
“[My flight was] delayed. It didn’t even land in Miami yet,” said passenger Aviva Gluck.
On Sunday, Miami International Airport reported 16 cancellations and 88 delayed flights. In total, the airport reported 42 cancellations on flights scheduled between Saturday and Monday.
Many of the issues were with American Airlines flights.
A spokesperson said crew members called out sick due to testing positive for COVID.
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport also had a busy Monday.
“We got here a little extra early, thankfully, ’cause there’s some really long lines, but other than that, it’s all good,” one passenger said.
But for traveler Andre Jackson, it has not been a smooth process.
“I’ve been at the airports all day, and I’ll be at the airports tomorrow, too,” he said. “This is crazy.”
Jackson said everything that could go wrong with his trip home to Cleveland did go wrong.
First, he said, he slept through the boarding call and missed his flight out of Atlanta.
“I literally watched my plane pull away. I’m just staring at the window,” he said.
Jackson got a flight to FLL that was then canceled.
“I had a layover here, and then my phone vibrated. I had a notification from my airline,” he said. “I already knew. I knew before I opened it. Everybody around it, we got it at the same time. We just hear ‘ugh.'”
On Sunday, FLL showed 29 canceled flights and 77 delays.
As the holiday hustle continues through the new year, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, had some words of warning.
“Talking about a New Year’s Eve party, we have 30, 40, 50 people celebrating,” said Fauci. “You do not know the status of the vaccination. I would recommend strongly, stay away from that this year.”
As for Jackson, he will be heading back home before the sun comes up.
“My new flight? Five in the morning, 5 a.m.,” he said.
Those traveling are advised to check if their flights are canceled or delayed and to arrive extra early in anticipation of long lines.
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