Hurricane Florence has forced a few hasty travel changes this weekend and many people are opting to fly after Labor Day. Air travel to and from the East Coast during the week started out particularly busy, according to data from FlightStats and the National Weather Service.
“Historically, about one-third of all U.S. flights are on Friday and Saturday, which typically makes for some very busy travel times this weekend,” a Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson said in a statement. The spokesman said that he did not have a breakdown of how many flights got canceled or delayed due to the storm. However, officials are advising travelers to avoid driving or flying in the affected areas, as freeways and highways are generally treacherous.
Many destinations announced closures and urged travelers to check cancellations before leaving for the airport. At one point, people in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia were warned not to travel altogether, as a Category 4 hurricane about 230 miles south-southeast of Cape Fear became the most powerful storm to menace the region in nearly a decade. “Don’t waste your time or money flying into area south of Florence,” AAA South Carolina warned people in the region on Monday.
The FAA says that in New York, expect some taxi delays or cancelled flights over the weekend. In Orlando, passengers are urged to check their airline’s website before heading to the airport, as many flights may be canceled.