MIAMI – There were already cancellations popping up on the board at Miami International Airport Saturday following a day where officials said around 200 flights were canceled or delayed.
Several airlines were impacted, but most of the issues were with American Airlines.
An MIA representative told Local 10 News the airport experienced all those cancellations and delays mainly due to weather and air traffic control impacts.
Officials told Local 10 News that as of Saturday afternoon, 12 flights had been canceled due to thunderstorms in Central Florida that were moving south, and that additional cancellations and delays were expected.
Mike Smith has been trying to get to New York City all day on a JetBlue flight.
“Going to New York City, and I’ve been delayed for, like, six hours now,” Smith said. “It’s been horrible, honestly. I’m getting tired of it.”
Dimitri Elie and his family are also heading to New York.
“I don’t really want to be here all night,” Elie said. “I don’t want to get into New York at 4 a.m. either.”
Further north in Fort Lauderdale, officials said they had around 15 cancellations and approximately 192 flight delays Friday, also likely because of weather.
Airport officials said for Saturday, they were expecting around 30 cancellations and 136 delays.
It obviously frustrated many travelers, though some Local 10 News spoke to said you just have to have patience.
“I’ve been traveling for 50 years, and I’ve seen it all,” said traveler Bernie Markowski. “There’s nothing you can do, why get upset? Just plug away and keep a positive attitude and that’s all there is.”
For now, passengers are left to wait.
“Right now, we are leaving at 10:20 tonight,” Elie said. “I guess the next option is to leave tomorrow, whatever flights are available.”
Video from inside the airport on Friday night showed long lines of people whose flights were cancelled, and they were working to get rebooked.
Obviously a very frustrating experience for many.
Airlines and airports said Saturday they’re doing everything they can to make sure things runs as smoothly as possible for travelers.
Anyone heading out Saturday is urged to make sure to give themselves time and keep up to date with their flight status.