More storms in America’s Northeast

On Monday April 16th, flights in America’s Northeast continued to experience delays, difficulties and cancellations due to bad weather, heavy storms and high winds.

JetBlue, an airline that operates 550 flights per day, cancelled 175 flights on Sunday and another 44 on Monday. Delta Airlines, and its partners, were in a similar position, canceling 300 flights on Sunday and a further 70 on Monday. American Airlines grounded 121 on Sunday but only 19 on Monday. US Airways was in a slightly better position, having only to cancel 51 on Sunday and 40 on Monday. Their regional affiliates, however cancelled 406 flights on Sunday and 207 on Monday. For the three airports in New York, it was estimated that a total of 600 flights were cancelled on Sunday.

In February, when an ice storm hit New York, JetBlue alone was forced to cancel 1,200 flights and lost about $30 million. For the most part, airlines don’t lose large revenues from storms since they are not obligated to compensate passengers for weather delays.

“I think the financial impact will be minor,” commented Ray Neidl, an analyst for Caylon Securities.

www.jetblue.com