Severe Weather Causes 1,600+ Flight Delays, Cancellations Across US, Europe

Severe weather and technical issues caused extensive flight disruptions across major airports in the U.S. and Europe. Charlotte Douglas International Airport experienced over 730 delays and 135 cancellations due to a combination of a technology glitch at American Airlines and a ground stop prompted by severe weather, with a safety incident involving seven people inhaling an unidentified substance. Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport saw nearly 400 Delta flight cancellations following intense thunderstorms, hail, and microburst winds, which also caused the temporary evacuation of the air traffic control tower and more than 90 flight diversions. Delta is actively working to recover operations as inspectors cleared almost all aircraft affected by the storms. Meanwhile, Europe faced around 470 flight delays and cancellations across major hubs including Amsterdam Schiphol, London Heathrow, and Paris Charles de Gaulle, attributed to operational challenges such as staff shortages, aircraft rotation issues, and air traffic congestion during the peak summer travel season, impacting many major global carriers. These widespread disruptions highlight ongoing vulnerabilities in global air travel infrastructure amid adverse weather and operational pressures.