Winter Storm Dion Brings Flight Delays, Cancellations

Cold weather has forced thousands of flights to be cancelled or delayed across the country, leaving many travelers frustrated for yet another day.
The tracking website Flightaware.com estimates more than 2,000 flights were cancelled nationwide as of Sunday afternoon and more than 6,000 flights were delayed. That follows two days of similarly difficult travel conditions.
Cold weather has affected much of the country, but hit Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport particularly hard. The airport said more than 400 departures were cancelled for the day. It is also still trying to clear out thousands of travelers who have been sleeping at the terminal or in nearby hotels who have been waiting for a flight out since Thursday night.

AP Photo/Chris Post

An aircraft diverted from the Philadelphia International Airport lineup sits on the ramp at Lehigh Valley International Airport Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013 in Allentown, Pa. Heavy snow and icing conditions forced the aircraft to divert from landing at Philadelphia.

To ease the pain, the airport has been giving away free coffee, sandwiches and other treats. It also has brought in entertainment to the terminals, including musicians, comedians and balloon artists.
"We are trying to keep the mood light and do everything we can to make sure that our passengers have as good an experience as possible given the situation," airport spokesman David Magana said.
Cold weather turned the region into an "ice rink" Thursday night, he said. That forced 3,000 people to stay the night Thursday, which swelled to 4,000 Friday. As flights began to slowly resume, that figure dropped to 2,000 for Saturday night.

http://www.weather.com/news/weather-winter/winter-storm-dion-travel-woes-20131209