UPDATE: A powerful snowstorm has wreaked havoc on holiday travel, stranding hundreds at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) as of Friday night. With snow accumulating rapidly across the tri-state area, flight cancellation notices flooded the boards, leaving exhausted travelers in a state of chaos.
By late Friday, JFK recorded 158 canceled flights and 204 delays, making it the highest affected airport in the nation, according to FlightAware. As frustrated passengers sat on terminal floors surrounded by luggage and restless children, the urgency for information grew. “I have been hanging out at JFK for about eight hours and still got like 30 left,” said Danniel Sermone, whose flight back to Denver was canceled.
The situation escalated as the storm prompted state officials to declare a state of emergency across more than half of New York. Forecasts predict nearly a foot of snow may fall by Saturday afternoon, with rates exceeding two inches per hour in some areas. Nearby airports were also impacted, with Newark Liberty International Airport reporting 107 cancellations and LaGuardia Airport seeing 90 flights scrapped.
International travelers were among the hardest hit. Mara Pimenta, who flew in from São Paulo with her family for Christmas, expressed her frustration: “I have been on hold for an hour waiting. I just have a lot of luggage and two children.” Her Latam Airlines flight was canceled unexpectedly, leaving them without hotel accommodations as their original booking was fully booked.
Compounding the distress, passengers like Chaithanya Sing faced additional challenges. After her Air France flight to India was canceled, she struggled to get assistance for her 9-month-old baby, with no staff present at the airline’s counter. “It’s like a ghost counter,” she lamented, highlighting the lack of customer care during this weather emergency.
As the storm continues, Mayor Eric Adams urged residents to stay vigilant: “Avoid driving if possible and give yourself extra travel time with public transit if you do need to travel.” A winter storm warning remains in effect through early Saturday afternoon, amplifying the urgency for travelers to prepare.
As passengers remain stranded and the storm intensifies, updates are crucial. Authorities encourage everyone to sign up for Notify NYC for real-time information. Stay tuned for the latest developments as this situation continues to unfold.
