Delays impact Christmas Eve travel at MCO, but cancellations are minimal

ORLANDO, Fla. — It’s Christmas Eve and thousands of people are looking to make it home for the holidays. 

According to the TSA, Americans are traveling in record-breaking numbers as they expect to screen 40 million people the last two weeks of the year, up 6.2% from last year.

That’s all been made a little more difficult thanks to some travel delays, starting on Christmas Eve morning when American Airlines grounded all flights nationwide for about an hour due to what they say was a “technical issue”.

As of 4:30 p.m., aviation tracking site FlightAware said Orlando International Airport had 161 delayed flights and at least two cancellations.

Despite that, Jan Skeldon is dressed head to toe in holiday spirit for her Christmas Eve flight to St. Louis, Mo.

“It’s the season, right?,” said Skeldon, showing off her outfit. “Ho, ho, ho, and all that.”

She’s been waiting all year for this trip, and said she was excited to see her daughter, eight grandkids and two great grandchildren.

“Lots of hugs and memories that we’ll be making,” said Skeldon.

But her heart dropped when she saw what she what she was dreading — her flight was delayed.

“Oh, it’s a bummer,” said Skeldon. “So far, we’re just delayed a half hour. So I maybe that’s just going to be it. We want to make sure we get there by Christmas Eve mass. I have a granddaughter singing and my daughter’s playing her flute in it, so it’s a very special mass tonight.”

She’s not alone in feeling the Christmas Eve stress.

About 117,000 passengers are expected to travel through Orlando International Airport throughout the day.

That’s why MCO Paw Pilot volunteer Joanne Jay-Lesswing and her therapy dog, Essie, were out trying to spread a little comfort and holiday cheer.

“People coming in are stressed, because they’ve been flying all day,” she said. “People trying to get home and their flights are delayed. They’re stressed, and, of course, emotions always run high at the holidays anyway.”

As for Skeldon, she’s hoping this is their only delay — she isn’t worried about any on the way back.

“That’s when you want a delay, because you want to stay with them,” she said.

Despite the headache, she says none of it matters as long as she gets to her loved ones.

“Yeah, family is worth it,” said Skeldon.

According to airport officials, the busiest travel day coming up this week is going to be Saturday, when 192,000 passengers are projected to travel through MCO.