Weather blamed for canceled flights, delays

Many travelers' plans came to a halt Thursday as Delta canceled some flights at Atlanta's Hartsfield Airport

In this story: Delta labor troubles Wind delays Chicago flights RELATED STORIES, SITES

ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- Delta Air Lines canceled about 13 percent of its flights across the nation Thursday as winter weather made its way eastward, affecting thousands of air travelers ahead of the Christmas holiday weekend.

About 20 percent, or about 100, of Delta flights into and out of Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport were canceled as light freezing rain fell in the region. Conditions were expected to continue through the evening.

RESOURCE Check flight information on Delta's Web site     FULL STORY Many holiday travelers face harsh weather, possible delays

Delta said weather was the primary reason behind its cancellations, though other airlines reported few problems. AirTran said it had canceled fewer than 5 percent of its flights out of Atlanta, and Continental said just one departing flight was scratched.

But Delta also blamed a continued labor action by its pilots as having a "significant impact" on its operations. The airline claims pilots are refusing to work overtime, a move it says has already resulted in hundreds of flights being canceled.

Delta and its pilots union are in negotiations for a new contract.

Delta urged travelers to call ahead or check the airline's Web site for more information on flight delays and cancellations.

Even as a windy snowstorm in the Great Lakes region moved toward the Appalachians and Northeast Thursday, it brought more snow to Chicago, where about 2 million air travelers were expected to file through the city's two main airports by January 1.

Planes headed into O'Hare International Airport were delayed up to four hours Thursday because of high winds, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The airport reported many delays of up to 30 minutes with outbound flights.

"Today is going to probably be the busiest," said O'Hare spokeswoman Monique Bond, adding that 255,000 people were expected to pass through the airport Thursday.

United Air Lines, which has a hub in Chicago, reported only scattered cancellations Thursday. "We're having a good day today," said airline spokesman Joe Hopkins.

United canceled 35 flights, fewer than 2 percent, across the country Thursday, blaming it on a mix of weather and labor problems.

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