US airlines cancel over 1,000 flights due to hurricane Helene

(Reuters) -Airlines in the United States have canceled or delayed thousands of flights on Thursday, as a strengthening hurricane Helene is expected to make a landfall in Florida’s Big Bend this evening.

A total of 1,218 flights were canceled and 4,146 delayed as of 5:59 P.M. ET, according to flight tracking website FlightAware.

Southwest Airlines (NYSE:) has canceled 201 flights, the most among the carriers, closely followed by American Airlines (NASDAQ:) and Delta Air Lines (NYSE:).

Officials have issued dire warnings and urged residents in coastal areas along the hurricane’s path to evacuate ahead of catastrophic winds and a potentially deadly storm surge.

Airports across impacted regions such as Tampa International, Orlando International and Fort Lauderdale International have also put out posts on X, warning travelers of potential delays or cancellations.

American Airlines has issued a travel advisory for airports situated around Southeast U.S. and the Gulf of Mexico. JetBlue and Southwest Airlines, too, have issued similar advisories.