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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah travelers are already feeling the effects of the perfect storm of a busy holiday travel season mixed with a brutal winter storm hitting much of the country.
The airport reported 166 delays and 43 flight cancellations as of 4 p.m. Thursday. Salt Lake City International Airport spokesperson Nancy Volmer said many of the delays are due to backup with deicing aircraft, while many cancellations are being caused by weather at other airports.
"Oftentimes, it's not because of the weather here in Salt Lake, because, right now, it's clear. It's because of weather at other airports. The airlines may be canceling flights because they can't get into these other airports that are experiencing weather," she said, adding that it's hard to say whether delays and cancellations will continue into the already busy travel weekend.
Volmer suggested that travelers keep an eye on Flight Aware's Misery Map, which will show delays and cancellations during a four-hour period, as well as the app or website of their specific airline. She also asked that passengers review what items are allowed in carry-on bags on the TSA website, to prevent any delays at security.
A number of airlines are taking steps to accommodate travelers who will be impacted by the severe weather.
- Delta said it will automatically attempt to rebook customers on the next available flight when cancellations do occur. It is also offering flight waivers for customers traveling through affected airports, specifically the Pacific Northwest, Northwest Mountain, Atlantic and Northeast regions of the country.
- Alaska Airlines has change and cancellation waivers for flights to and from Seattle, Portland, seven East Coast cities and a dozen Midwest cities.
- American Airlines said it will waive change fees for 29 cities in the Midwest and East Coast and another 30 in the Northeast.
- Southwest Airlines has also waived change fees for dozens of cities, including Salt Lake City.
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