Severe storm triggers hundreds of flight cancellations at busy Atlanta airport just as holiday travel cranks up

Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, recognized as the busiest airport in the world, has experienced significant disruptions due to a severe storm that swept through the area overnight. As of early Saturday afternoon, over 450 flights were canceled, with many more delayed, according to data from FlightAware. Delta Air Lines, which operates a substantial number of flights from this hub, has been particularly affected, reporting a cancellation rate of 14% across its total flights. The airport acknowledged the weather-related issues in a post on social media, emphasizing that the severe conditions had led to both delays and cancellations. The storm brought powerful winds, prompting the evacuation of most air traffic controllers from the control tower, although a small team remained to manage incoming flights. In addition to the flight cancellations, the storm produced severe thunderstorms and quarter-inch hail, necessitating inspections for over 100 Delta aircraft before they could resume flying, as confirmed by a Delta employee. The airline's maintenance team is reportedly working diligently to address the backlog of inspections caused by the storm's impact.

As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, the timing of these disruptions is particularly unfortunate, as millions of Americans are preparing to travel. The American Automobile Association (AAA) estimates that around 72.2 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home during the holiday period stretching from June 28 to July 6, with approximately 5.84 million travelers expected to take to the skies. During this busy travel time, Hartsfield-Jackson Airport anticipates serving nearly 394,576 passengers. The airport has consistently ranked as the busiest in the world, surpassing major international hubs like London’s Heathrow and Dubai International Airport, having served over 100 million passengers in 2024 alone. As the situation continues to develop, CNN has reached out to the airport, Delta Air Lines, and the Federal Aviation Administration for further updates on the ongoing disruptions and recovery efforts.