Airlines cancel more than 1,500 flights due to winter storm

Airlines on Friday canceled more than 1,500 flights in the United States ahead of the winter storm, testing airlines during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

A winter storm warning has been in effect for New York City, New Jersey and Long Island since Friday afternoon, and snowfall totals could reach 9 inches, with most of it falling Friday night, the National Weather Service said.

More than 370 flights to and from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport had been canceled as of 5 p.m. ET Friday, more than a quarter of the day’s schedule, according to aviation tracking site FlightAware. More than 240 people were tested at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, and more than 140 people were canceled at Philadelphia International Airport.

Airlines have already canceled 125 flights, or one-fifth of the flights, out of Kennedy Airport on Saturday, 69 flights, or 10%, of the scheduled flights out of Newark, and 80 flights, or 20%, of the scheduled flights out of New York’s LaGuardia Airport.

american airlines, delta airlines, united airlines, southwest airlines, jet blue airlines and other airlines said they would waive change fees for restricted basic economy tickets and not charge fare differences to other customers flying to and from a number of airports in the northeastern United States.

The airline said customers must travel by the end of the year if they wish to change their flights. There are few seats available during the busy Christmas week, so it’s probably best to leave as early as possible.

Airlines for America, an industry lobbying group, predicts that airlines will fly a record 52.6 million people between Dec. 19 and Jan. 5, with Friday and Sunday this week expected to be the busiest days.

Airlines generally cancel flights in advance when a major weather event, such as a snowstorm or hurricane, is predicted to avoid air travel and to avoid stranding travelers and crew and worsening the disruption.