A seagull flies over lower Manhattan during heavy smog in Latest York City, June 6, 2023.
Ed Jones | AFP | Getty’s paintings
Smoke from forest fires in Canada delayed flights at airports in Latest York and Philadelphia on Wednesday as fog blanketed the region and reduced visibility.
“The FAA is now slowing traffic from the East Coast and Midwest to Philadelphia International Airport as a result of reduced visibility brought on by smoke from the fires,” the agency said in a press release.
Earlier, the FAA briefly halted flights to Latest York’s LaGuardia Airport.
“The agency will adjust traffic volumes to accommodate rapidly changing conditions,” the FAA said.
Smoke rising south from forest fires in Canada covered the Latest York City area from Tuesday to Wednesday, polluting air quality and sending residents home. On Wednesday at noon, the town was ranked fourth in the world for the worst air quality, with a rating of about IQAir Global Air Quality Index 158, a level considered unhealthy for all inhabitants.
Greater than 2,000 US flights were delayed around 3pm ET, in line with the flight tracking website FlightAware. By mid-afternoon, 115 scheduled flights to Newark, or about 18% of the day’s total, were delayed, in line with FlightAware. Greater than 180 flights to LaGuardia were also delayed, a few third of that schedule.
In accordance with the FAA, flights to LaGuardia were delayed by a mean of 120 minutes and flights to Newark by a mean of 82 minutes. International Airport John F. Kennedy in Latest York also reported delays in each arrivals and departures.
United Airlines it said in a press release that it was “closely monitoring the situation and keeping our employees secure while working outside, and adjusting our schedule as crucial.”
Ombudsman Delta Airlines told CNBC that the carrier has protective gear for personnel.
“And for many who work on the tarmac, we invite them inside where there are social facilities between the turns of the planes,” the spokesman said. “We’re also watching forecasters predict rain in Latest York in the approaching days, which should improve air quality.”
Some american airlines A spokesman said the corporate is ensuring ramp staff have access to vehicles between flights, as well as other supplies such as water and masks.
— Emma Newburger of CNBC contributed to this report.