Airlines scrap thousands of flights as Irene hits

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By SAMANTHA BOMKAMP

NEW YORK (AP) - Travelers across the country faced days of grief as thousands of flights were canceled Saturday because of Hurricane Irene.

Airlines scrapped more than 9,000 flights this weekend from North Carolina to Boston, grounding would-be travelers as Irene traveled up the East Coast. There were more than 3,900 cancellations on Saturday alone.

Millions of passengers will be affected by the time the storm finally dies as airlines work to accommodate travelers on very full flights. The biggest airlines, United Continental Holdings Inc. (UAL) and Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL), each canceled thousands of flights.

All New York City-area airports closed to arriving flights at noon on Saturday, when the city's public transportation system shut down. By evening, the five major airports were closed.

Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20110828/D9PD1A0G0.html

---

Travelers wait in line to board Amtrak's Northeast Regional train to Boston at Union Station in Washington, Friday, Aug. 26, 2011. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)