Romulus, Michigan – Travelers moving through Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) faced widespread delays and cancellations on Monday, as snow squalls, high winds, and runway maintenance prompted federal officials to issue a ground delay, disrupting flights during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the ground delay was issued Monday and is expected to remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. on December 29, significantly impacting incoming and outgoing flights at the major Midwest travel hub.
FAA Issues Ground Delay Amid Severe Winter Weather
The FAA confirmed that arriving flights into DTW were experiencing average delays of approximately one hour and 10 minutes, largely due to runway maintenance operations combined with rapidly deteriorating weather conditions.
This delay followed an earlier FAA ground stop that specifically affected Delta Air Lines flights early Monday morning. That restriction was lifted around 8:00 a.m., but lingering winter conditions continued to slow operations throughout the day.
Airport officials said the combination of heavy snow, gusty winds, and reduced visibility made it necessary to limit aircraft movement while crews worked to keep runways safe.
For many travelers, the disruptions meant long waits and uncertain schedules. Most passengers reported delays ranging from 40 minutes to two hours, while others faced even more severe interruptions.
Snow Squalls Severely Reduce Visibility on Runways
Airport maintenance crews worked around the clock to clear snow from the tarmac and runways, battling near-whiteout conditions at times. Video footage captured by Local 4 showed aircraft nearly disappearing into intense snow squalls, highlighting the severity of the conditions.
Officials said visibility dropped dramatically, making snow removal operations more difficult and slowing the pace of takeoffs and landings. Despite the challenges, crews continued nonstop efforts to keep the airport operational and safe.
Hundreds of Delays and Dozens of Cancellations Reported
As of Monday evening, flight tracking data from FlightAware showed the full scope of the disruption at Detroit Metropolitan Airport:
- 435 flight delays
- 72 flight cancellations
- Average departure delays of 1 hour and 15 minutes (gradually decreasing)
- Arrival delays for airborne aircraft ranging from 31 to 45 minutes (increasing)
Airport officials emphasized that conditions remained fluid, with delays and cancellations changing rapidly based on weather developments.
Travelers Urged to Check Flight Status Before Arriving
With snow removal operations ongoing and weather conditions continuing to shift, airport officials strongly advised travelers to check their flight status directly with their airline before heading to the airport.
Passengers were also encouraged to allow extra travel time, pack essentials in carry-on bags, and stay alert for real-time notifications from airlines and airport authorities.
The disruptions come during the holiday travel rush, a time when airports nationwide are already operating near capacity, making weather-related issues especially challenging.
Weather Conditions Still Being Monitored
Officials at DTW said they will continue to monitor weather conditions closely through the night as crews remain on standby. While some improvement is expected once snow squalls taper off, high winds and lingering snowfall could continue to affect operations.
Travelers with flights scheduled over the next 24 hours are urged to remain flexible and prepared for additional delays.
Were you impacted by the Detroit Metro Airport delays today? Did your flight get delayed or cancelled during the holiday rush? Share your experience in the comments below and help other travellers stay informed.
