Several Southwest Airlines flights canceled

LAS VEGAS (KLAS)— Southwest Airlines customers flying into Las Vegas McCarran International Airport and across the country are experiencing a large number of cancellations this weekend.

McCarran Airport is advising passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport.

🚨SUNDAY ADVISORY🚨 Southwest passengers, please check your flight status before heading to the airport. Explore self-service rebooking options at https://t.co/1YhqLQnQY7. Expect long lines and wait times at the airport as airline team members work to accomodate customers. https://t.co/8GPdvshjiC

— McCarran Airport (@LASairport) October 10, 2021

Southwest said an air traffic management program put in place due to weather has caused significant delays.

The airline released the following statement Saturday “Air Traffic Control (ATC) issues and disruptive weather on Friday have resulted in a higher than average number of flight cancellations throughout the weekend. We’re working diligently to accommodate affected Southwest Customers as quickly as possible. We’re asking our Customers whose travel is affected to explore our self-service rebooking options and to check their flight status on Southwest.com.”

Some travelers are extremely frustrated by the matter.

“We are trying to find a hotel room bc they said we couldn’t get a flight out until Tuesday,” Opal Edwards, said. All of the airlines and everyone is booked and the ones that aren’t booked, they have raised the cost so high.”

This was the line around 10 am when we attempted to speak with someone. The line goes to the rear wall. We started called at 6 am but after three hours on the phone, had hoped an in-person visit would have helped. It didn't. We are still trying to reach them with no results. pic.twitter.com/heUrddUesg

— BarbWantsCoffee37 (@barbwantscoffee) October 10, 2021

According to FlightAware, a website that provides real-time flight insights, Southwest has canceled over 1,000 flights on Sunday. That’s 27% of the airline’s scheduled flights on the nation’s largest domestic airline. 

The FAA tweeted Sunday there were no staffing shortages affecting air traffic control and that “some airlines continue to experience scheduling challenges due to aircraft and crews being out of place.”

Some airlines continue to experience scheduling challenges due to aircraft and crews being out of place. (2/2)

— The FAA ✈️ (@FAANews) October 10, 2021

The Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA), Southwest pilots’ labor union, said in a press release that they are aware of the issues Southwest is experiencing.

“SWAPA is aware of operational difficulties affecting Southwest Airlines today due to a number of issues, but we can say with confidence that our Pilots are not participating in any official or unofficial job actions,” the press release said.

Southwest Airlines is the only airline experiencing a high volume of cancelations. Allegiant and Spirit, both of which had canceled 5 percent and 4 percent, are next in line.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.