Delta Air Lines has canceled 300 flights on Monday as airlines continue to deal with the impact of an hours-long power outage that struck the world's busiest airport on Sunday.
An underground fire at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport left thousands of travelers stranded on planes and at the airport.
Southwest Airlines canceled flights early on Sunday afternoon, while Delta Air Lines canceled the rest of its Sunday schedule later in the evening.
Late Sunday night, Delta announced another round of cancellations. Here is Delta's full statement:
"Delta customers scheduled to traverse Atlanta Monday are encouraged to check their flight status as approximately 300 flights will be canceled due to Sunday’s power outage at the Atlanta airport affecting all airlines there. Delta also canceled approximately 900 mainline and Delta Connection flights Sunday and diverted 48 flights to alternate airports due to the nationwide groundstop for Atlanta-bound flights. The airline is working to reaccommodate impacted customers on alternate flights. Cancellations are designed, in part, to allow the operation to best reset Monday.
"Delta leaders having been working to support customers by coordinating with Atlanta airport officials and leaders at the City of Atlanta and Georgia Power."
In a series of tweets early Monday, Delta said that customers traveling to, from or through Atlanta through 12/19 can make a one-time change to their travel plans. The com
pany said it has temporarily embargoed travel for unaccompanied minors through Atlanta on Monday.
Also Delta customers with checked luggage ending their travel in Atlanta can file a claim with a Baggage Service agent in the Atlanta Airport or via Delta's website. Due to congestion, customers are encouraged not to pick up their bags at the @ATLairport Monday, they said.
How to check flight status:
Here is Southwest's statement:
"Due to an airport-wide power outage at Atlanta-Hartsfield International Airport (ATL), Southwest Airlines has canceled all remaining operations in/out of ATL today, December 17. There is nothing we value more than the safety and security of our Customers, and we are closely monitoring the situation at ATL. At this time, we plan on operating our regular ATL schedule on Monday, December 18.
"To provide additional flexibility, Customers who are scheduled to travel to/from/through ATL on Sunday or Monday, December 17 or 18, and want to alter their travel plans may rebook in the original class of service or travel standby (within 14 days of their original date of travel between the original city-pairs and in accordance with our accommodation procedures) without paying any additional charge."
Here is Delta's statement that was released earlier Sunday afternoon:
The Atlanta airport lost power Sunday across concourses and terminals affecting all airlines. As a result of the ongoing outage, Delta will cancel its remaining Sunday domestic schedule to allow the operation to reset for Monday. The airline has canceled approximately 900 mainline and Delta Connection flights Sunday as a result of the outage and 48 flights have diverted to alternate airports due to a nationwide groundstop for Atlanta-bound flights.
Pending full resumption of power, Delta anticipates a near-full schedule Monday in Atlanta, though some delays and cancellations can be expected.
Delta continues to deplane the remaining customers from aircraft that have not been able to park at terminal gates that require power to operate. The airline will also work to reunify customers with their luggage once power is restored.
The Atlanta Airport, along with Atlanta Police Department, are restricting the vehicles allowed to the terminal drop-off and pick-up area due to congestion.
Delta customers are encouraged to check the status of their flight via the Fly Delta mobile app or delta.com before heading to the airport. A travel waiver has been issued for Delta customers flying to, from or through Atlanta allowing customers to make one-time changes to their travel plans. Details are available at delta.com.
Delta has temporarily embargoed unaccompanied minors from traveling Monday due to the power outage. Unaccompanied minors who already began their travel Sunday may continue.
