More than 1,000 flights have been cancelled at Chicago’s largest airports today, due to heavy snowfall in the US city. According to the National Weather Service, a snowstorm has seen 3.1 inches of snow fall at O’Hare, and 2.9 inches at Midway, as of 10.30am on Monday. By 2pm today, O’Hare Airport is reported to have seen at least 854 cancellations. Meanwhile, at Midway Airport, there has reportedly been 224 flights cancelled, according to USA Today.
This includes inbound and outbound flights.
Both airports have seen delays.
According to FlightAware, 80 flights to and from Detroit Metropolitan Airport have also been cancelled.
The area’s cold snap is predicted to continue into this week.
The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Chill Warning in Northeastern Illinois.
This includes portions of northwest Indiana, as well as north central and northeast Illinois.
The notice read: “Snow and areas of blowing snow this afternoon and evening.
“Visibility as low as a quarter mile at times. Dangerously cold wind chills expected.
“Wind chills 20 to 30 below Tuesday and as low as 55 below zero expected Tuesday night through Thursday morning.”(sic)
The public alert explained that dangerously cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in just five minutes.
Earlier today, Southwest Airlines told its 2.11 million Twitter followers that there may be disruptions on its services to Chicago Midway, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis-Saint Paul up until Friday February 1.
Understandably, it’s safety which is the priority – particularly when you consider the dangerous temperatures being seen in Chicago.
However, if you are outside of the EU and travelling with a non-EU airline, it could be worth knowing your rights.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) explains: “Your rights when your flight is delayed or cancelled varies depending on the terms and conditions of your contract with the airline.
“Most airlines base their terms and conditions on those recommended by the International Air Transport Association.
“This means that when delays happen, most airlines have a contractual obligation to offer passengers a choice between a later flight, mutually agreed alternative transportation or a refund.”
The CAA also explained that you may be able to be reimbursed for your expenses under the Montreal Convention, so keep hold of receipts for meals and overnight accommodation.
