News Summary
Significant thunderstorms in the Orlando area led to flight delays at Orlando International Airport on Saturday. The FAA issued a ground delay affecting arrivals and departures, with rising average delays of 90 minutes by evening. Travelers are urged to monitor their flight statuses as adverse weather continues and delays are expected to exacerbate. The stormy conditions are anticipated to persist throughout the evening, impacting operations across various regions and prompting recommendations for travelers to remain updated on their itineraries.
Orlando – Thunderstorms in the Orlando area caused significant flight delays at Orlando International Airport (MCO) on Saturday, with both departures and incoming flights affected. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) instituted a ground delay at 3:50 p.m. which is scheduled to remain in effect until 10:59 p.m. The adverse weather has resulted in rising average delays for outbound flights, reaching 90 minutes by 6:09 p.m.
Continuous widespread showers and localized strong storms are expected to continue throughout the evening. Although stronger thunderstorms are anticipated to dissipate after 8 p.m., travelers are strongly encouraged to stay updated on current flight statuses and baggage delivery schedules.
As of late afternoon, average delays for departing flights from MCO were initially noted at around 15 minutes, but these delays were expected to increase as the severe weather continued to impact operations. The FAA noted that from 3:31 PM to 4:45 PM EDT, another separate ground stop affected multiple regions across the eastern United States, which may further prolong waiting times.
Impact on Flight Operations
The ongoing delays affect a broad range of regions including ZAU, ZTL, ZDC, ZNY, ZHU, ZJX, ZFW, ZOB, ZBW, ZMA, ZKC, ZME, ZID, and ZMP, showcasing the widespread nature of the weather disturbances. Current airport operations involve the use of runways 36L/35R for arrivals and 36R/35L for departures, allowing an arrival rate of 30 flights per hour.
By 6:09 p.m., the average delays for outbound flights had escalated significantly, with the FAA reporting that arrival delays for flights headed to MCO from within a 1,200-mile radius ranged from 35 to 62 minutes. The conditions prompted the earlier grounding of flights which lasted from 2:12 p.m. to 3:34 p.m., adding to the complications faced by passengers and airlines during the stormy weather.
Recommendations for Travelers
Travelers at MCO are advised to routinely check with their airlines for updated information regarding flight statuses and any changes to baggage delivery. Given the unpredictability of thunderstorms, they should prepare for potential adjustments to their travel plans throughout the day.
Weather Forecast
The meteorological forecast indicates that thunderstorms will continue to sweep through the Orlando area, contributing to challenging flying conditions. While a break from the strongest storms is expected post-8 p.m., intermittent weather disturbances may still pose a risk for continued delays and cancellations.
Overall, the ongoing situation highlights the impact of weather-related disruptions on air travel, urging all passengers to remain vigilant and informed as they navigate their journeys on this stormy Saturday evening.
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Additional Resources
- WESH: Ground Delays at Orlando International Airport
- Wikipedia: Orlando International Airport
- WFTV: Flights Grounded at Orlando International Airport
- Google Search: Orlando International Airport delays
- Fox 35: MCO Sees Ground Stop Due to Thunderstorms
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Air Transport
- MyNews13: Delays and Cancellations at MCO
- Google News: Orlando International Airport flight delays
