Winter weather, staff shortages and COVID is blamed on delays and cancelations for those trying to get home after the holiday period.
According to flight-tracking site FlightAware, airlines canceled more than 5,300 U.S. flights this weekend.
On Sunday, airlines had scrubbed more than 2,500 U.S. flights on top of the 2,749 flights canceled on New Year’s Day.
Winter weather in key airline hubs played a factor. There were flights that were cancelled in in cities like Chicago, Atlanta, Denver and the New York City area.
An increased number of FAA employees tested positive for COVID-19 and many carriers cited omicron infections among crews for disruptions.
Airlines have ramped up incentives for pilots and flight attendants to pick up trips and ease staffing shortages.
Airlines executives have said they expect travel demand to surge in 2022 and had been preparing to grow their schedules and hire.
