Southwest, Delta cancel flights due to winter storm

Jan. 28, 2010

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Jan. 28--In response to a forecast of freezing rain and snow, Southwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines have canceled flights scheduled for early Thursday at Tulsa International Airport, airport officials said.

Southwest Airlines canceled all 18 flights scheduled to arrive Thursday at Tulsa International Airport, officials said.

Delta Air Lines canceled three morning departures: at 5:40 a.m. to Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport; at 6:30 a.m. to Memphis International Airport, and at 7:10 a.m. to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, airline officials said.

"At this point, Southwest is tentatively offering its first four departures Thursday, weather permitting," said Alexis Higgins, deputy airports director of marketing for the Tulsa Airport Authority. "As soon as the temperatures create freezing rain -- the last I heard, that might be 7 o'clock (Thursday) morning -- Southwest will determine whether they will operate any flights.

"The other airlines are still unsure as to when the cold weather will get here. The majority of the carriers have decided to wait and see what happens."

Southwest's tentatively scheduled four departing flights are set to leave Tulsa on Thursday at 6:30 a.m. to Houston Hobby Airport; 6:40 a.m. to Dallas Love Field; 8 a.m. to St. Louis Lambert International Airport; and 8:15 a.m. to Houston Hobby.

Southwest spokeswoman Ashley Rogers said travelers can check their flight status on the airline's Web site.

"We're doing everything we can to accommodate passengers inconvenienced by the weather," Rogers said.

Ken Miller, deputy airports director of operations, said Tulsa International and its passenger terminal will remain open.

"In some cases, the runways may be closed when they get too slick, but the airport will remain open," Miller said.

Travelers also may check on their flight status by visiting Tulsa International's Web site at tulsaworld.com/airport.

Passengers are advised to contact their airline before leaving for the airport for questions about flight cancellations, delays and rebookings.

How to check on airline and flight information

For further airline and flight information, contact the airlines directly on their Web sites or at toll-free telephone numbers:

American Airlines: tulsaworld.com/aa (800) 433-7300

Continental Airlines: tulsaworld.com/continentalair (800) 525-0280

Delta Air lines/Delta Connection: tulsaworld.com/delta (800) 221-1212

Frontier Airlines: tulsaworld.com/frontier (800) 432-1359

Southwest Airlines: tulsaworld.com/southwest (800) 435-9792

United Airlines: tulsaworld.com/united (800) 241-6522

D.R. Stewart 581-8451 [email protected]