Travelers at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport are still facing delays and cancellations due to winter weather conditions and staffing issues this week.
Travelers at Sea-Tac Airport grapple with ‘exasperating’ week of delays, cancellations
With more snow on the way overnight, the situation at the airport isn’t expected to improve quickly.
SEA is open and in active cold weather operations. We’re preparing for another snow event that is forecasted to begin tonight through Thursday. We are continuing snow and ice maintenance of runways, taxiways, and the ramp areas. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/X2MUi8PQOc
— Seattle-Tacoma Intl. Airport (@flySEA) December 29, 2021
The airport’s largest carrier, Alaska Airlines, took the pre-emptive step of cancelling 20% of its flights out of Seattle over the next two days — Wednesday and Thursday — with the hope of at least getting some flights out on time.
Alaska Airlines says it was a perfect storm of winter weather, displaced crew and aircraft, and the impact of the omicron variant of COVID-19 on staffing that led to the decision to cancel flights. The airline says the 20% reduction of Seattle departures will allow for additional time needed to de-ice aircraft, which is a requirement during winter weather.
Since so many passengers have to be rebooked, Alaska Airlines wants non-essential travelers to consider leaving on another date. Most of the people who have been impacted by the cancellations won’t be able to book another flight for at least three days since more snow is expected and seats are limited during an “already busy holiday week.”
Gee: A ‘real big shoutout’