In a move that could alter travel plans for hundreds of passengers, US Airways said Friday that it plans to cancel up to 10 percent of its flights from Charlotte on Tuesday and Wednesday because of construction on a runway.
Reservations agents will start calling affected passengers on Sunday to reschedule them on other flights, the airline said.
Even with the cancellation of flights, there is still a possibility of flight delays because of the work, the company said.
"Even with the reduced schedule, it will be challenging environment," said Bob Maloney, US Airways' managing director of operations control and planning, in a message to employees.
Charlotte airport director Jerry Orr said the airport had hoped to put off the work until construction is complete on a new runway. But with that work about two years away, the airport could not wait any longer.
Workers will start replacing concrete slabs late Monday and are expected to finish early Thursday.
The runway, 18R/36L, is one of three in use at the airport. The last major work on it was completed in 1979, Orr said.
US Airways and its regional affiliates offer 577 daily flights from Charlotte. The airline is likely to cancel flights with the fewest passengers and put them onto other flights that have space.
