Charlotte
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Published on July 19, 2024
Flight Disruptions at Charlotte Airport Due to Severe Weather and Global Tech Glitch, American and Delta Airlines ImpactedSource: Google Street View

Travel woes continued for passengers as Charlotte Douglas International Airport faced significant disruptions due to weather and a global tech outage on Friday, July 18. According to GardaWorld, severe weather through at least late afternoon on July 18th resulted in flight delays and cancellations at the airport. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed a ground delay on Charlotte Douglas International Airport, a measure expected to remain effective until 10:59 pm due to thunderstorms with potential extensions to be announced.

On the technological front, things went dramatically south as a massive IT outage added to the disruptions. The FAA was forced to issue a ground stop as the tech issues took their toll. The Nottingham Post reported that American Airlines had to implement a ground stop early Friday morning, with the disruptions also triggering complaints from stranded passengers on social media. One traveler expressed their frustration on X, stating, "We were about to depart from SFO and we are told all American Airlines flights are grounded. With no other feedback."

The local impact was clearly felt as by 6 a.m., over 70 flights had been canceled, and around 30 flights delayed at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Arriving flights fared similarly, with the updated statistics reflecting disruptions of incoming and outgoing travel, as noted by WNCT. The airport advised travelers to check directly with their airlines, but further information was sparse.

American Airlines later disclosed that the interruption was due to a technical issue with a vendor that impacted multiple carriers, including American. Following the initial chaos, they managed to "safely re-establish our operation" around 5 a.m., as per their statement. Delta conversely took a more cautious approach, announcing around 6:45 a.m. that they were going to pause all global flights until the issue had been resolved. Amidst these troubles, passengers are urged to stay informed through direct communication with their airlines and to brace for potential residual effects even after systems are restored and the skies clear.