MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, FLA. (WSVN) – The skies of South Florida may be sunny, but travelers at South Florida airports are feeling the effects of the year’s first major snowstorm.
The massive winter storm roiling parts of the U.S. is dropping the heaviest snowfall that some states have seen in decades. That snow is having a bitter impact on travelers trying to leave Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
“This blast came out of nowhere,” said Candie Green, who is traveling to Ohio.
Despite Miami International Airport breaking travel records on Monday, as the airport expects 20,000 passengers to pass by the airport, many passengers are dealing with major flight cancellations.
Another couple who spoke to 7News said they were excited to return home to Maryland after visiting parts of Latin America. However, the massive winter storm had other plans for them.
“We’ve been on travel since Dec. 20. We were in Belize and Costa Rica, and we actually were supposed to fly back to B.W.I. yesterday. Due to the weather, everything got canceled.” said Kash’ka Fain.
“We got a notification, and then we jumped right on it and started looking for flights,” said Sherise Noel-Fain.
While they waited to board their new flight, the couple said the cancellation was a blessing in disguise.
“We had an night in Miami, which wasn’t planned, but I love Miami, so that was fun,” said Noel-Fain.
“I’d rather spend an extra night somewhere than go to heaven prematurely,” said Fain.
Green was also among the travelers affected.
“Miami has the perfect weather,” she said. “They kept sending me ‘possible cancellation, possible cancellation,’ then I finally got the final warning: ‘You have been canceled’.”
The cancellation delayed Green and her family almost 24 hours. She, however, said it could have been worse.
“You know what? I was kind of happy,” she said. “I wanted to stay over in Miami.”
Other flyers at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport were not pleased with the flight cancellations.
When asked what their plans were if the flight is canceled, passenger Gene Shorts said, “No clue. Probably leave and find a hotel.”
Airport officials said over 50 flights have been canceled out of MIA, while over 40 have been canceled at FLL.
Authorities said they expect the cancellations to continue and recommend keeping in touch with your airline directly if planning to travel.
Officials expect the flight cancellations to continue throughout the day.
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