Delays, cancellations expected across the Midwest as winter storm moves through

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (Fort Wayne’s NBC) - A major winter storm system moving across the region on Wednesday is expected to disrupt air travel for the remainder of the week.

Flights were arriving and departing in the early morning at Fort Wayne International Airport, where rain preceded the anticipated snow. Officials were hoping to keep travelers moving as long as possible.

However, airlines had already begun cancelling flights in advance of what will amount to a foot of snow or more in northeastern Indiana. The projected footprint of the storm extended as far south as Texas,

Airlines canceled more than 1,000 flights in the U.S. scheduled for Wednesday, the flight-tracking service FlightAware.com showed, including more than half taken off the board in St. Louis. In an effort to stay ahead of the weather, Southwest Airlines announced Tuesday that it would suspend all of its flight operations Wednesday at St. Louis Lambert International Airport and Thursday at its Dallas Love Field hub.

“Around the country, we’re planning to operate a limited or reduced schedule from some cities in the path of the storm but will make adjustments to the schedule as needed,” Southwest spokesman Dan Landson said.

Chicago O’Hare International Airport canceled more than 100 departing flights, and airports in Kansas City and Detroit were also canceling more flights than usual.

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