This article summarizes reporting by CBS News and Sarah Lynch Baldwin, with additional data from FlightAware and Cirium.

U.S. Aviation Grounded: Sunday Cancellations Top 10,000 in Historic Winter Storm Disruption

The United States aviation system faced its most severe single-day operational disruption since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic this Sunday. As a massive winter weather system, unofficially dubbed Winter Storm Fern, tracked from the Southern Plains to the Northeast, airlines were forced to scrub more than 10,000 flights in a single day. The cancellations left hundreds of thousands of passengers stranded and paralyzed major transit hubs from Dallas to New York City.

According to reporting by CBS News, the sheer volume of cancellations on January 25, 2026, marks a grim milestone for the industry. Data provided by aviation analytics firm Cirium confirms that Sunday’s figures represent the highest number of daily cancellations since the global travel shutdowns recorded in March 2020. The storm’s impact was not limited to Sunday; total cancellations for the holiday weekend, spanning Saturday through Monday, have exceeded 16,000 flights.

The disruption was driven by a dangerous combination of heavy snow in New England and crippling ice storms across the South. As airlines struggle to reset their operations, industry experts warn that the recovery process could extend well into the week.

A Record-Breaking Weekend

The scale of the operational meltdown became clear early Sunday morning. By the end of the day, data from flight tracking services indicated that over 10,300 flights within, into, or out of the U.S. had been canceled. This figure surpassed previous post-pandemic records, highlighting the severity of the weather system.

According to the latest data compiled regarding the storm:

• Sunday Impact: More than 10,300 cancellations.
• Weekend Total: Between January 24 and January 26, over 16,000 flights were removed from schedules.
• Monday Outlook: As the storm moved into Northern New England, airlines had already preemptively canceled over 1,800 flights for Monday morning.

Vikrant Vaze, a professor at Dartmouth College, noted in reports that the recovery would likely take “days if not longer” due to the complex logistics of repositioning displaced flight crews and aircraft.

Impact by Airline and Region

The storm’s trajectory allowed it to strike multiple major airline hubs simultaneously, leaving no major U.S. carrier unscathed. The disruption was particularly acute for carriers with heavy exposure to the Northeast corridor and the icy conditions in Texas and North Carolina.

Carrier Breakdowns

Data indicates that JetBlue Airways was the hardest hit relative to its schedule size. The airline canceled approximately 71% of its entire schedule on Sunday, grounding roughly 570 flights. The legacy carriers also faced massive raw numbers of cancellations:

• American Airlines: Canceled over 1,400 flights (roughly half its schedule), driven by ice storms affecting its primary hub at Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and its secondary hub in Charlotte (CLT).
• Delta Air Lines: Scrubbed more than 1,300 flights, representing over 40% of its daily operations.
• Southwest Airlines: Canceled approximately 1,260 flights across its point-to-point network.
• United Airlines: Grounded roughly 900 flights, or 38% of its schedule.

Hub Closures

Several key airports effectively ceased operations on Sunday. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) saw 99% of its departing flights canceled. In a statement regarding the closure, airport officials advised passengers:

“Airlines have canceled all flights at the airport today… Please stay home and off the icy roads.”

, Reagan National Airport Statement

In the New York metropolitan area, LaGuardia Airport closed Sunday afternoon due to snow and ice accumulation, resulting in a cancellation rate exceeding 90%. Newark Liberty (EWR), John F. Kennedy International (JFK), and Philadelphia International (PHL) all reported cancellation rates between 80% and 94%.

Economic Fallout and Consumer Rights

The financial toll of Winter Storm Fern is expected to be significant for the airline industry. Early estimates from consultancy firm Oliver Wyman suggest that direct revenue losses for airlines could range from $70 million to $90 million per day during the peak of the disruption. Consequently, airline stocks, including American, JetBlue, Delta, and United, were expected to face downward pressure in Monday trading.

For passengers caught in the chaos, federal regulations provide specific protections. Under Department of Transportation (DOT) rules, travelers on canceled flights are entitled to a full cash refund if they choose not to be rebooked. Major carriers, including Delta, United, and Southwest, have also issued travel waivers allowing customers to change their plans without incurring change fees.

AirPro News Analysis

While winter storms are an expected hurdle for U.S. aviation, the magnitude of this collapse highlights the fragility of the hub-and-spoke model when multiple key nodes are hit simultaneously. Typically, a storm might ground flights in Chicago or New York, allowing carriers to reroute through Atlanta or Dallas. However, Winter Storm Fern’s geographic footprint, stretching from the Southern Plains to New England, simultaneously impacted DFW, ATL, CLT, and the entire Northeast corridor.

This “perfect storm” scenario stripped airlines of their usual recovery valves. Furthermore, the heavy icing events in the South (Texas and Tennessee) are historically more disruptive than snow, as de-icing infrastructure in these regions is less robust than in northern hubs. We anticipate that this event will renew industry discussions regarding winter resilience investments in traditionally warmer hubs.

Broader Storm Context

The aviation meltdown occurred against the backdrop of a severe humanitarian emergency. The storm delivered a rare mix of hazards, including up to 18 inches of snow in parts of New England and crippling freezing rain in the South. PowerOutage.us reported that more than 1 million customers lost power, with the highest concentrations of outages in Tennessee, Texas, Mississippi, and Louisiana.

States of emergency were declared in over 17 states, including Virginia, Georgia, and New York. The National Weather Service Director Ken Graham publicly warned of the “dangerous” conditions, urging the public to avoid travel as the system affected over 200 million people.

Sources:
CBS News
FlightAware
Cirium
PowerOutage.us
Oliver Wyman

This article summarizes reporting by ClickOnDetroit and Brandon Carr.

On the evening of Friday, January 23, 2026, a vehicle crashed through the glass entrance doors of the McNamara Terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airports (DTW), coming to a halt inside the Delta Air Lines baggage check-in area. The incident, which occurred during the evening rush, resulted in minor injuries but no fatalities.

According to reporting by ClickOnDetroit, the driver was taken into custody at the scene. While the situation created immediate chaos and scattered debris across the departures level, airport operations continued with minimal disruption.

Incident Details and Timeline

The crash took place between 7:30 PM and 8:00 PM ET. Witnesses and local reports indicate that a blue four-door sedan, identified in verified reports as a Mercedes-Benz, breached the terminal’s exterior glass doors. The vehicle traveled into the check-in lobby before striking a ticket counter structure.

The Scene Inside McNamara Terminal

Video footage circulated on social media and reviewed by local outlets showed the sedan resting inside the terminal with both its hood and trunk popped open. The area surrounding the vehicle was covered in shattered glass and debris. Police immediately cordoned off the specific check-in zone with yellow tape.

According to witness accounts cited in local reports, the vehicle appeared to be moving at significant speed before impact. One witness, identified as “George” in reports, estimated the speed at approximately 45 mph just prior to the car entering the terminal.

Driver Taken into Custody

Law enforcement officers from the Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA) responded instantly to the crash. The driver, described as a male wearing a Detroit Lions jersey, surrendered to police without further incident. Video from the scene depicts the driver exiting the vehicle with his hands raised.

It is important to note that while other law enforcement incidents occurred in the region on the same evening, including a wrong-way driving incident on I-94 involving a suspect named Joel Masching, reports confirm these are separate events. The identity of the driver at the airport has not yet been released by the WCAA.

Injuries and Operational Impact

Despite the severity of the crash and the busy time of day, no life-threatening injuries were reported. The WCAA Fire Department treated six individuals at the scene.

Delta Air Lines Statement

Airlines confirmed that its employees were among those assessed by first responders. In a statement regarding the safety of their staff and passengers, the airline noted:

“Three employees were among those checked by first responders.”

The airline further stated that there was no significant operational impact to flights. While the specific crash site was restricted for investigation and cleanup, the rest of the airport remained open, and there were no reports of mass evacuations or flight cancellations stemming directly from the vehicle incursion.

AirPro News Analysis

Perimeter Security and Infrastructure

This incident brings renewed attention to airport perimeter security, specifically the use of bollards, reinforced concrete or steel posts designed to prevent vehicles from ramming into pedestrian-heavy areas. While major U.S. airports, including Detroit Metro, utilize various physical barriers, the ability of a sedan to breach the glass doors suggests a potential gap in the physical defenses at that specific entry point.

Vehicle incursions into airport terminals are rare but have occurred historically. For example, a similar incident occurred at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in 2015. We anticipate that the Wayne County Airport Authority will likely conduct a review of curbside infrastructure to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was the airport closed due to the crash?
No. The airport remained open, and Delta Air Lines reported no significant impact on flight operations. Only the immediate area of the crash was cordoned off.

Were there any fatalities?
No. Authorities reported no life-threatening injuries. Six people were treated at the scene, including three Delta employees.

Is the incident related to other crimes in Detroit that night?
Current reporting indicates this was an isolated incident. The driver is distinct from suspects involved in other local traffic incidents occurring around the same time.

Sources

• ClickOnDetroit

This article is based on an official press release from The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and legislative data from Congress.gov.

House Committee Advances Aviation Workforce and Property Protection Measures

On January 21, 2026, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure approved a slate of five bipartisan bills aimed at strengthening the U.S. aviation workforce, expanding rural broadband access, and protecting American assets abroad. Led by Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA), the markup session highlighted a legislative focus on modernizing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) processes and responding to geopolitical challenges affecting U.S. supply chains.

The approved legislation addresses critical infrastructure needs, including the integration of military personnel into civilian air traffic control roles and the feasibility of using low-orbit satellite technology to bridge the digital divide in Appalachia. Additionally, the Committee moved to penalize foreign governments that illegally seize American-owned property, a measure with significant implications for maritime commerce.

“Today, the Committee approved legislation that modernizes the use of pilot certificates, strengthens rural broadband deployment, and protects American property abroad.”

, Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO)

Modernizing Aviation Safety and Workforce

Three of the five bills advanced during the session focus directly on aviation safety and efficiency. As the FAA continues to grapple with staffing shortages, the Committee approved H.R. 6744, the Military Air Traffic Control Transition Act. Sponsored by Rep. Laura Gillen (D-NY), this bill seeks to streamline the hiring process for military air traffic controllers transitioning into civilian roles within the FAA. By better recognizing military credentials, the legislation aims to create a faster pipeline to fill critical vacancies in the national airspace system.

The Committee also addressed the growing issue of unauthorized drones interfering with emergency response efforts. H.R. 6618, the Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act, sponsored by Rep. Janelle Bynum (D-OR), mandates that the FAA study the impact of drone incursions on wildfire suppression. Unauthorized drones frequently ground aerial firefighting tankers due to safety risks; this bill requires an evaluation of counter-drone technologies to ensure airspace remains clear for first responders.

Additionally, the Committee moved to modernize pilot documentation with H.R. 2247, the Pilot Certificate Accessibility Act. Sponsored by Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN), this legislation directs the FAA to update its systems to allow pilots to carry and present digital pilot certificates, moving away from an exclusive reliance on physical cards.

“The slate of bills advanced in today’s markup will improve air traffic control staffing, examine the increase in drone incursions during wildfire response, and explore opportunities to expand rural communities’ broadband access.”

, Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA)

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Defending U.S. Assets and Supply Chains

A significant portion of the markup was dedicated to protecting American commercial interests overseas. The Committee approved H.R. 7084, the Defending American Property Abroad Act of 2026, sponsored by Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX). This bill prohibits vessels from entering U.S. ports if they have previously utilized a foreign port or terminal that was illegally nationalized or expropriated from a U.S. entity.

According to legislative context provided by the research desk, this bill serves as a response to tensions regarding the seizure of U.S.-owned assets in Mexico, specifically the deep-water port and limestone quarry owned by Vulcan Materials Company. The legislation aims to economically isolate seized assets by effectively “blacklisting” vessels that utilize them, preventing those ships from participating in commercial shipping to the United States.

Bridging the Digital Divide in Appalachia

Addressing rural connectivity, the Committee advanced H.R. 2474, the Expanding Appalachia’s Broadband Access Act, sponsored by Rep. David Taylor (R-OH). This bill mandates the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study the feasibility of incorporating low-orbit satellite technologies, such as Starlink or Kuiper, into broadband projects managed by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).

The legislation acknowledges the economic and logistical challenges of laying traditional fiber-optic cables in rugged terrain. By exploring satellite alternatives, the bill pushes for a “technology-neutral” approach to closing the digital divide in hard-to-reach communities.

AirPro News Analysis

The approval of H.R. 6744 signals a pragmatic shift in how Congress views the FAA workforce crisis. Rather than relying solely on training new recruits from scratch, a process that takes years, legislators are prioritizing the removal of bureaucratic barriers for veterans who are already qualified. If enacted, this could provide immediate relief to understaffed control towers.

Furthermore, the advancement of H.R. 7084 represents an escalation in the use of maritime logistics as a tool of economic statecraft. By targeting the shipping vessels themselves, rather than just the foreign government, the U.S. is leveraging its status as a primary consumer market to deter the expropriation of American assets. This move suggests a hardening stance on protecting cross-border supply-chains from political interference.

Sources: House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Congress.gov