Travelers at TF Green dealing with flight cancellations

WARWICK, R.I. (WLNE) — Flight cancellations across the east coast left travelers waiting at their gates trying to board their planes. Those issues happening in Rhode Island as well, as T.F. Green International Airport reported dozens of cancellations since Thursday.

Severe weather left airlines grounded across the East Coast in recent days. Forcing travelers at T.F. Green scrambling for ways to get to their destinations

“It makes it frustrating,” said Will Rodriguez, a traveler flying to Ft. Lauderdale. “Basically, we’re stuck paying premium high-end price for a last-minute flight.”

Dozens of flights were canceled on Thursday at T.F. Green. Travelers were left stranded sleeping on the floor Thursday night, and some said their airlines did not offer to pay for an overnight stay at a hotel.

Those cancellations continued into Friday, as several passengers said their already rebooked flights were canceled again.

“I was willing to drive to Manchester, to Boston, to Hartford. I was willing to drive anywhere I needed to go,” said Courtney Lawlor, a traveler at T.F. Green flying to Savannah.

Airlines blamed severe weather for the high volume of cancellations this weekend. American Airlines said two of their flights departing from TF Green were canceled Thursday, and another four more by noon on Friday.

“It exasperates the issue. You have a number of canceled flights. Now, the other flights are going to be more packed and in high demand,” Will Rodriguez said.

Thursday, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg called a virtual meeting with airline CEOs pushing for details on how they plan to keep their summer schedules on track as cancellation numbers continue to rise heading into the summer.

More than 1,500 flights were canceled across the country Thursday. And as many airlines deal with ongoing staffing shortage issues many travelers now question if they want to fly again during this busy summer season.

“I’m not traveling again this summer. This is not worth the hassle to me. No vacation is worth going through this,” said Andrew Shulke, a traveler at T.F. Green flying to Las Vegas.