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Don’t miss the details on what is happening now at the airport that’s causing traveler frustration and see why it may get worse.
What is a Ground Stop?
A Ground Stop is a traffic management initiative requiring aircraft that meet specific criteria to remain on the ground at their origination airport. The Ground Stop may be airport specific, related to a geographical area, or equipment related.
A Ground Stop is a traffic management initiative requiring aircraft that meet specific criteria to remain on the ground at their origination airport.
Ground Stops are implemented when air traffic control is unable to safely accommodate additional aircraft in the system. They are most frequently used for severely reduced capacity situations. These include weather, major equipment outages, and catastrophic events.
What is happening now?
Earlier today we reported HERE that flight conditions are challenging today in parts of Florida and New England. Air traffic is routing aircraft around storms as much as possible to keep travelers safe.
When storms occur, airports experience delays and this effect can be cumulative as the day goes on. Then, the FAA reported an average of 75 minute departures from Orlando International Airport (MCO). Unfortunately, things have gotten worse now due to a ground stop issued by the FAA.
Official Statement and Impact
Here is the official statement issued by the FAA: Thunderstorms across the northern Gulf of Mexico the Panhandle of Florida to the Atlantic causing several route closures with structured routes published. Additional thunderstorms in the northeast impacting flows into and out of the Boston Airport (BOS) terminal area with a delay program. Orlando International Airport (MCO) is in a Ground Stop due to thunderstorms valid until 7:30pm.
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is in a Ground Stop due to thunderstorms valid until 7:30pm.
Federal Aviation Administration
Because of this Ground Stop, more flights are now delayed then be on time. As of 4:30pm today, MCO reported the following flight data: on time – 85, delayed – 107, and cancelled – 18.
While everyone realizes, safety must come first, it can still be frustrating for travelers excited to begin their vacation. Have you experienced delays traveling? If so, please share your experience in the comments and share this post with someone who may be traveling.
Source: National Business Aviation Association
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Linda Tonya
Wednesday 12th of July 2023
DO NOT USE EXPEDIA or SIXT car rental. They will not refund prepaid monies PERIOD. Our Monday Orlando flight was delayed for 6 hours, finally departing at 11:15 after. Sixt car rental closed at 11:00 pm - before we departed Orlando - and even though we notified SIXT of the situation as soon we were delayed beyond their operating hours, neither Expedia nor Sixt has agreed to refund the car rental fees paid for a car that could not be picked up when flight arrived at 1:30 AM. Each keeps passing me off to the other. I’ve been on the phone and sending emails for 3 days trying to get a refund.
Not happy flyer
Tuesday 11th of July 2023
Ha not even I had a flight leaving Orlando at 0700 delayed rerouted and delayed again until the next day. Spirit airline as sketchy as it sounds was way better
Florida Flyer
Tuesday 11th of July 2023
American is one of my two least favorite airlines (the other is Frontier), but I don't think that they are completely to blame for your difficulties. For months before the summer travel began, the news media has been filled with stories about a shortages of air traffic controllers on the east coast and flight crews nationwide. Much of this is due to former employees taking early retirement during the Pandemic. It's going to take a long time before enough people can be hired and trained to fill those open positions. In the meantime, here are my recommendations for avoiding situations like yours. 1. Fly early in the day. Delays are cumulative. If you leave at 7:00am, your aircraft will almost always be at the gate waiting for you to board. 2. Book non-stop flights when possible. Many problems happen at connecting points. No connections, fewer problems. The chances of luggage being lost are far greater when the bags have to be transferred between planes. 3. Make easily cancelable and refundable hotel and car rental reservations. Some hotels still permit hotel reservations to be cancelled by 4pm or 6pm on the scheduled day of arrival. Many times, you can get more cancellation leeway by booking at a hotel's website than you would get through a third party agent like expedia.com or hotels.com. The same is true for car rentals. Budget.com or alamo.com will often provide more leniency than carrentals.com.
Perhaps by following this advice, your future travels will incur much less stress than your recent trip.
Jennie Bingol
Tuesday 11th of July 2023
Never fly with American Airlines!! We were delayed over 5 hours flying with them on front end of our vacation and over 6 hours on our return vacation. They caused us to loose over $800.00 in our car rental, because we didn't get there on time. So on the day before our return flight we called to change to an earlier flight home to allow for a 3 hour layover to hopefully give enough cushion. $500.00, They charged us for our seats as well. This was an additional $52.00. We still were delayed making us loose our connection and the money we paid to try to avoid the delay. Plus they lost our luggage during all the changes and delays. We called and wrote the American Airlines help line for a refund and they offered nothing to us. They refused any compensation. We wrote the car rental company and they too refused a refund. DON'T EVER USE AMERICAN AIRLINES THEY ARE THE WORST! We both are an older couple and we literally did our best to run through the airport to meet our connection and I fell down the escalator. At one point we made it to the gate but the attendant closed the boarding gate in our face. And wouldn't allow us on the plane. All our delays were not caused by weather. They were mechanical issues! Save yourself a lot of money and trouble don't fly on American.