Solar Eclipse Causes Ground Stops At Some Airports

Increase In Air Traffic Due To Solar Eclipse Causes Ground Stops At Some Airports In The USA number of smaller airports across the US were forced to pause operations as they became inundated with aircraft trying to view the solar eclipse on April 8. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had previously issued an advisory ahead of the eclipse, warning pilots to expect disruption and delays throughout vast swathes of the country.
On the day of the eclipse itself, traffic adjustments from the FAA were implemented to avoid congestion on the ground. One of the airports affected was Southern Illinois Airport (MDH) in Illinois, which reached its maximum capacity of 230 small turboprops and 45 larger jet and turboprop aircraft on Monday.
The facility's Head of Operations, Alyssa Connell, said, As reported by CNBC, Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport (BTV) in Vermont was due to receive around 130 aircraft today, according to its Deputy Director of Aviation Operations, Dave Carman, who added, “it’s the most we’ve seen in a day. It’s going to be hectic getting out."
Special flights to catch a glimpse of the eclipse hotels and related services along the route have benefited from a spike in bookings as people across the country clamber to catch a glimpse of the eclipse. Not wanting to miss out on the fun, several airlines sold tickets for special eclipse flights, allowing passengers to see the natural phenomenon from the sky.
United Airlines operated 11 flights in the eclipse's path, and last month reported that bookings were up by almost 300% for flights out of San Antonio (SAT) compared to the same period last year.
Meanwhile, two Delta Air Lines flights to Detroit (DTW), one from Dallas (DFW), and one from Austin (AUS) were marketed as providing unforgettable views as they followed the track of the eclipse.
According to NASA, the best views of the eclipse in the US were to be found in an arch spanning northeast from Texas to New York, as shown in the video below: Southern Illinois International Airport and Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport Although it can handle aircraft as large as the Boeing 757, Southern Illinois International Airport, located east of Murphysboro, does not currently offer commercial passenger services. It is, however, home to Southern Illinois University's aviation school.
Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport, on the other hand, is the busiest airport in Vermont and is served by the likes of American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and their regional subsidiaries, as well as Sun Country Airlines and Breeze Airways, which is a relative newcomer to the market after commencing operations in 2021. The three busiest routes from the airport last year were to New York (JFK), Chicago (ORD), and Washington (IAD).
Source - ‪@SimpleFlyingNews‬
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