Hundreds of Flights Canceled, Airlines Issue Waivers as Winter Storm Enzo Continues to Wreak Havoc

Less than two weeks after Winter Storm Cora grounded flights throughout the Gulf Coast, Winter Storm Enzo has caused hundreds of flight cancellations and even more delays. 

The storm stretched from Texas through North Carolina, covering parts of the coast that rarely get snow. New Orleans received eight inches of snow—the most in over 100 years. It’s also brought dangerously cold temperatures.

“Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin is exposed to these temperatures,” the NWS in New Orleans warned. 

The winter storm caused disruptions throughout the Southeast. According to flight tracker FlightAware, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) canceled 218 outgoing and 202 incoming flights on Wednesday. Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) canceled 198 outgoing and 232 incoming flights. 

“Airlines at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport have canceled all departing flights on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, and some may operate some late night arriving flights,” the airport wrote on its website. “Airlines will continue to evaluate if additional cancellations will occur on Thursday, Jan. 23 based on conditions in the local area as well as on the airfield.”

Several airlines, including Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Frontier Airlines, have issued flight waivers for the Southeast in response to the winter storm.

Fortunately, conditions are expected to improve throughout the week. “All five runways and all taxiways are operational,” ATL airport wrote in a post on X. “Security wait times have fallen to acceptable levels.”

Currently, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is the only airport in the region with substantial cancellations on Thursday, January 23, according to FlightAware, with 64 outgoing and 28 incoming flights already canceled.