Blizzard Paralyses New York Skies, Air India Cancels Flights for Second Straight Day !
Prime Vista News
Air India has cancelled all flights to and from New York and Newark till February 24 as a powerful blizzard cripples airport operations across the US East Coast.
Heavy snow and strong winds disrupt airport operations as US East Coast faces widespread travel chaos
A powerful blizzard sweeping across the US East Coast has brought air travel in and around New York to a near standstill, forcing Air India to cancel all its flights to and from New York and Newark for the second consecutive day. The airline said operations would remain suspended till February 24, citing unsafe flying conditions caused by heavy snowfall and severe weather disruptions.
The decision comes amid escalating weather warnings and large-scale transport disruptions across the northeastern United States, with authorities cautioning that conditions could worsen before improving.
Air India Issues Travel Advisory
In a travel advisory issued on Monday, Air India said that airport operations in New York and Newark continue to be severely impacted due to intense snowfall and adverse weather conditions.
“Heavy snow and adverse weather conditions have disrupted airport operations, making it unsafe to operate flights,” the airline said, confirming that all services scheduled for February 24 stand cancelled.
Air India added that its ground teams have been deployed to assist affected passengers with rebooking, rescheduling, and on-ground support, and urged travellers to check flight status before heading to airports.
Cancellations Follow Earlier Suspension
The latest round of cancellations follows Air India’s decision to suspend flights on February 23, after early forecasts warned of a major winter storm approaching the region. At the time, the airline said the move was precautionary and aimed at ensuring passenger and crew safety amid predictions of heavy snow, strong winds, and reduced visibility.
With conditions failing to improve, the airline extended the suspension for a second day as airport authorities continued to struggle with snow accumulation and operational constraints.
Blizzard Causes Widespread Aviation Disruption
The storm impacting the US Northeast has been described as one of the most severe winter systems of the season. Blizzard warnings have been issued across large parts of New York State and neighbouring regions, with reports indicating snowfall of more than 20 inches in some areas.
Strong winds combined with heavy snowfall have resulted in near-zero visibility, making both take-offs and landings hazardous. Airport runways, taxiways, and access roads have been affected, significantly slowing snow-clearing operations.
As a result, thousands of flights have been cancelled or delayed across major airports in the region, including those serving New York City, New Jersey, and surrounding states.
Global Airlines Adjust Schedules
The disruption has extended well beyond Indian carriers. Several international airlines have either cancelled or rescheduled flights to the US East Coast as the storm continues to affect airspace and ground operations.
Airlines operating transatlantic and long-haul routes have been forced to adjust schedules, reroute aircraft, or delay departures, leading to knock-on disruptions across global networks.
Aviation analysts said such weather events often have a cascading effect, with crew availability, aircraft positioning, and airport congestion taking days to normalize even after conditions improve.
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Road and Emergency Restrictions in Place
Beyond aviation, the blizzard has also disrupted road and rail travel across the region. Local authorities have imposed emergency measures, including travel advisories and restrictions on non-essential movement in some areas.
Snowploughs and emergency crews remain deployed as officials work to keep critical infrastructure operational. Residents have been urged to remain indoors where possible and avoid unnecessary travel until conditions stabilise.
Passengers Urged to Monitor Updates
Air India has advised passengers scheduled to travel through New York or Newark to monitor official communication channels, including the airline’s website and customer service platforms, for updates.
The airline said it would continue to review the situation in coordination with airport authorities and meteorological agencies before resuming operations.
With weather forecasts suggesting lingering disruption, travellers have been advised to remain flexible and plan for possible delays even after services restart.
Uncertain Timeline for Normalcy
While forecasters expect the storm to gradually weaken, aviation officials cautioned that full restoration of flight operations could take time, depending on runway clearance, aircraft availability, and weather stability.
For now, New York’s skies remain largely grounded, as safety considerations take precedence over schedules.