ATLANTA (CBS46) – On a day filled with hugs and holiday cheers, dozens of flights Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport bring a sense of pain to some visitors.
Deborah Burris was close to tears after her flight to Africa was canceled on Friday morning.
“Everything was cancelled,” Deborah Burris said. “It’s not just Christmas.”
To travel on vacation, Burris plans to bring books, papers, pencils and other gifts to children on the other side of the world.
“We will celebrate the continent. This is nothing but school supplies for children,” she said as she opened a large bag.
This trip to Africa is one of more than 300 flights from Delta, United and other carriers that have been canceled Christmas Eve in part due to the Omicron variant. According to online flight tracking service Flight-Aware, about one in ten United flights have been cancelled.
In a statement to CBS46, United Airlines addressed the canceled flights:
“The nationwide spike in Omicron incidents this week has had a direct impact on our fleet and those who run our operations. As a result, we regret having had to cancel some flights and are informing affected customers in advance of their arrival at the airport. We’re sorry for the disruption and are working hard to re-register as many people as possible and get them on the road for the holidays. ”
delta airlines warning can have more cancellations. The airline expects 150 flights to be canceled on Saturday and Sunday.
Christmas disasters are especially devastating for those visiting loved ones.
Jean-Pierre Wetli said his family was boarding a flight to visit his mother in Phoenix when they were told the plane would not take off, even though it was only minutes away from its scheduled departure.
“It’s crazy to be fifth in your ready-to-board queue at the last minute,” Wetli said. “I thought it was a mistake. There’s no other way.”
Wetli said the late cancellations caused chaos at the gate. Travelers scrambled to find alternative flights.
His family rebooked his flight for Sunday, but Wetli is disappointed he won’t be spending the holiday with his mother for the second year in a row.
“Christmas is special. We haven’t been out to see them in a long time, we’re really looking forward to it,” he said.
Amid untimely flight cancellations, some travelers have struggled to find ideal rebooking options.
April Goober and Peter Torres were stuck at Hartsfield-Jackson despite being admitted in their own way. The couple missed their flight by a few minutes while using the restroom.
“We were in the same boat as these people who had their flights cancelled. Torres said.
Goober and Torres said they were originally supposed to take off at 11:30 a.m. After missing their flight, the next available option was around 7 p.m.
“We won’t get there until midnight,” Torres said. “Perfect timing – Santa is here!”
In starting over and realizing, a flash of gratitude emerges in the holiday hustle.
“Perhaps it is time for us to relax. Torres said:
