Hurricane Idalia's Devastating Impact: Over 1,000 Flights Cancelled, Southwest Airlines Takes the Hardest Hit

Hurricane Idalia wreaked havoc on the United States on Wednesday, causing airlines to cancel over 1,000 flights across the country. Southwest Airlines took the hardest hit, canceling over 220 flights, followed by Delta Air Lines with 157 cancellations. Flight-tracking website Flightaware.com reported that a total of 2,000 flights were delayed due to the storm. The hurricane made landfall in Florida's Big Bend region as a Category 3 storm, prompting airports in Tampa, Clearwater, and Tallahassee to shut down operations. These airports remained closed, awaiting updates on the storm's status.

Idalia gained strength from the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, unleashing destructive winds and heavy rainfall. Coastal flooding up to 16 feet deep was anticipated along Florida's Gulf Coast. Idalia had previously transitioned from a tropical storm to a hurricane after passing west of Cuba. This leg of its journey resulted in severe damage to homes, power outages, flooding, and mass evacuations. With Tampa Airport closing at midnight on Tuesday, Southwest Airlines announced the cancellation of all flights until at least the afternoon of Wednesday. Operations were also halted at Jacksonville International Airport.

Other major airlines, such as American Airlines, suspended operations at multiple airports in Florida, including Tampa, Sarasota, and Tallahassee. They canceled a total of 167 flights as of Wednesday morning. As the storm continued to move towards Georgia, its power began to diminish. Nonetheless, authorities and airlines remained vigilant, closely monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of passengers and staff.