Severe winter weather has triggered widespread transportation shutdowns, forcing millions to remain indoors.
Air travel has largely ground to a halt across the region, with thousands of flights canceled at major hubs including New York and Boston. Train services have also been suspended in several areas, AP reports.
The National Weather Service on Monday described travel conditions in the hardest-hit zones as “extremely treacherous” and “nearly impossible.”
Flight cancellations pile up
Flight disruptions mounted Monday morning. By 12:30pm ET, more than 5,600 flights within or bound for the US had been cancelled, according to FlightAware, with hundreds more delayed.
New York’s John F. Kennedy International and LaGuardia airports reported the highest number of cancellations, followed by Boston, Newark, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC Rhode Island’s TF Green International Airport also announced a temporary suspension of all operations.
More than 4,000 flights were canceled on Sunday, and over 1,700 Tuesday departures have already been scrapped, with further disruptions expected.
The Federal Aviation Administration urged travelers to monitor updates and check directly with airlines and airports. US carriers are required to issue refunds for canceled flights, and many including JetBlue, Delta, Southwest, and American are offering fee-free rebooking options for affected passengers.
Air travel disruptions this week are not limited to weather. The Department of Homeland Security suspended its Global Entry program over the weekend due to a partial government shutdown, though it reversed plans to halt TSA PreCheck. Meanwhile, after Mexican forces killed cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes on Sunday, airlines canceled flights or issued advisories for airports in cities such as Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, where residents were urged to stay indoors.
Travel bans on roads and public transit disruptions
Beyond airports, blizzard warnings have led to road travel bans. Millions are under restrictions on non-emergency movement. On Sunday night, New York City issued push alerts banning non-essential travel through noon Monday due to “dangerous blizzard conditions.” Rhode Island and New Jersey imposed similar measures.
Public transit also faced major disruptions. By midday Monday, New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority had pulled articulated buses from service and warned of subway delays, particularly on outdoor routes. The Long Island Rail Road suspended all services until further notice.
In Boston, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority reduced subway, bus, and commuter rail service.
Havoc for train routes
Passenger rail services across the Northeast were also affected. Amtrak suspended all service between New York’s Moynihan Train Hall and Boston’s South Station until at least 4pm ET Monday, with other routes disrupted as well.
Amtrak said affected customers would be notified directly and offered rebooking or refunds. In a statement, the company emphasized that “the safety of our customers and employees remains our highest priority.” It added that suspensions help “limit exposure to hazardous conditions, protect our equipment, and support guidance from state and local authorities advising limited travel during and after the storm.”
