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Covid: Travel misery continues as 1,500 more flights cancelled | |
(32 minutes later) | |
Travellers across the world have been hit by delays and cancellations in the past three days | Travellers across the world have been hit by delays and cancellations in the past three days |
More than 1,500 flights across the globe were scrapped on Sunday, bringing more misery for travellers planning to fly over the festive period. | |
As many as 5,900 flights have now been cancelled on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the day after, according to FlightAware data tracking website. | |
Chinese and US airlines appear to be the hardest hit. Further disruption is expected on Monday. | Chinese and US airlines appear to be the hardest hit. Further disruption is expected on Monday. |
Companies have blamed staff shortages on the fast-spreading Omicron variant. | Companies have blamed staff shortages on the fast-spreading Omicron variant. |
They say flight cancellations are the result of airline crews testing positive, or being forced to self-isolate. | They say flight cancellations are the result of airline crews testing positive, or being forced to self-isolate. |
Despite early findings that Omicron is milder than other variants, scientists are concerned by the sheer number of infections being recorded. | Despite early findings that Omicron is milder than other variants, scientists are concerned by the sheer number of infections being recorded. |
How can I tell I have Omicron? | How can I tell I have Omicron? |
Covid map: Where are cases the highest? | Covid map: Where are cases the highest? |
Omicron wave appears milder, but concern remains | Omicron wave appears milder, but concern remains |
More than 450 flights to or from US airports have been cancelled on Sunday, according to FlightAware. | More than 450 flights to or from US airports have been cancelled on Sunday, according to FlightAware. |
The worst-hit US companies are Delta, United and JetBlue. | The worst-hit US companies are Delta, United and JetBlue. |
United warned earlier that a spike in Omicron cases had "had a direct impact on our flight crews and the people who run our operation", adding that it was contacting impacted passengers in advance of them coming to the airport. | United warned earlier that a spike in Omicron cases had "had a direct impact on our flight crews and the people who run our operation", adding that it was contacting impacted passengers in advance of them coming to the airport. |
Omicron now is the dominant strain in the US. | Omicron now is the dominant strain in the US. |
However, the most affected single airline appears to be China Eastern with more than 350 scrapped flights on Sunday. | However, the most affected single airline appears to be China Eastern with more than 350 scrapped flights on Sunday. |
The airport in the northern Chinese city of Xi'an has reported nearly 100 flight cancellations - the highest number so far. | The airport in the northern Chinese city of Xi'an has reported nearly 100 flight cancellations - the highest number so far. |
More than 13 million people in Xi'an have been recently ordered to stay at home as authorities attempt to tackle a Covid outbreak there. | More than 13 million people in Xi'an have been recently ordered to stay at home as authorities attempt to tackle a Covid outbreak there. |
Heathrow airport in London has seen 56 flights cancelled on Sunday so far. | Heathrow airport in London has seen 56 flights cancelled on Sunday so far. |
Overall, global airlines have cancelled about 5,700 flights since Friday. | Overall, global airlines have cancelled about 5,700 flights since Friday. |
Nearly 5.4 million people have died with coronavirus worldwide, according to America's Johns Hopkins University. There have been more than 279 million confirmed cases. | Nearly 5.4 million people have died with coronavirus worldwide, according to America's Johns Hopkins University. There have been more than 279 million confirmed cases. |
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Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus: "An event cancelled is better than a life cancelled" | Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus: "An event cancelled is better than a life cancelled" |
Have you been affected by a cancelled flight? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Have you been affected by a cancelled flight? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways: |
WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803 | WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803 |
Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay | Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay |
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