Texas storms divert hundreds to Will Rogers World Airport

By Ja’Rena Lunsford

Published: March 19, 2008

Funnel clouds near Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport resulted in American Airlines diverting seven planes to Oklahoma City on Tuesday, flooding Will Rogers World Airport with displaced passengers.

"They brought in approximately 600 passengers,” Will Rogers spokeswoman Jennifer James McCollum said.

She said the diversion created an even more crowded terminal Tuesday.

"The airport was already busy,” she said. "It's spring break.”

Passengers perched on top of their suitcases as they studied the arrival and departure boards. Java Dave's Coffee, Sbarro and other airport businesses saw a rush as passengers headed to various restaurants.

"We have a lot of people at our concessions,” James McCollum said.

American Airlines' aircraft began arriving at Will Rogers at 12:15 p.m. American Airlines spokesman Tim Wagner said weather conditions made the airline opt to cancel the remainder of its flights in and out of Dallas/Fort Worth. Wagner said it was hard to say if the airline will be operating 100 percent by today.

"We hope to be back and operating more normally, but we have around 1,000 total cancellations in and out of Dallas/Fort Worth,” Wagner said.

Flight delays and cancellations began during the morning hours when funnel clouds and high winds caused the evacuation of one of the air traffic control towers at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

The airport's second tower operated with minimal staffing, resulting in 50 percent of flights being canceled. The airport averages about 950 flights per day traveling to 175 locations, including 40 international flights.

"This is one of the most vicious thunderstorms DFW has seen in quite some time, especially its ongoing intensity,” said Ken Capps, vice president of public affairs for the airport. "We know it can be frustrating for passengers, but everyone's top priority is their safety.”

American Airlines was not the only airline that canceled its Texas-bound flights. Continental canceled several flights to and from the Houston area as well.

By late afternoon Tuesday, the crowd at Will Rogers World Airport was thinning as passengers made arrangements with other airlines or booked hotel rooms in Oklahoma City.

Although today's weather is expected to be less of a disturbance, James McCollum said travelers still may see delays.

"They need to call their airline and check their flight status because there will be a backlog they'll have to deal with,” the airport spokewoman said.

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