Winter storm flight cancellations impacting local holiday travelers

DAYTON — Airlines have already cancelled thousands of flights as winter weather makes its way across the Plains and Midwest, and its already caused travelers in the at the Dayton International Airport to switch their plans.

“Actually had a flight scheduled for 6 p.m., I was able to talk to my boss, I was able to leave earlier in the work day,” said Casey Manos, who lives in Huber Heights.

Manos wanted to make sure he made it home in time for the holidays, but he had to go through the O’Hare Airport in Chicago, which is packed and has flight delays on normal days.

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He wasn’t the only one moving his flight to beat the winter storm.

“Even in my flight there were people who were shifted around, earlier flights were pushed back, others moved up,” Manos said.

News Center 7 also ran into others that were already working to help people stressed by potential flight delays or cancellations.

Norma Raiff is with Best Friends, a pet assisted therapy organization approved to work at the airport.

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Her dog Gypsy and her friend’s dog Sunny roam around the airport to bring light to people that might be trying to avoid the dark winter storm clouds.

“If there is a two to three hour delay, people are aggravated, we try to make light, be happy, play with their children are waiting,” Raiff said.

Dayton Airport officials told News Center 7 that they had light staffing through the day Thursday because they were shifting their winter operations teams and supervisors to overnight hours when the ice, snow and high winds are expected to move in.

Their crews will be clearing runways, de-icing planes and doing everything necessary to try to make sure any flight delays are not directly traced to Dayton.

The first winter storm is a test for everyone. To avoid unexpected flight problems, advice is to call your airline and learn as much as possible before you leave home.

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