Winter storm hits RSW with canceled flights

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The massive winter storm in the Northeast has caused more than 6,000 flight cancellations, including more than a dozen out of Southwest Florida International Airport.

As airlines scramble to get passengers home, flights to Baltimore, New York and Washington D.C. have been canceled, while many others have been delayed.

That was the case with Cherie Oberst’s flight, who was trying to fly back home to Ohio.

“I come in. I was supposed to leave at 11:10 and now they’re telling me I don’t leave until 2,” Oberst said. “They said the crew was out of hours and I need to respect that.”

On Sunday, check-in lines were empty and some passengers were looking for ways to pass the time. But one traveler, Margaret Lempak, said her flight was unaffected by the weather.

“We feel lucky,” she said. “We’ve been through delays and cancels before. It’s no fun.”

Lempak and her husband’s flight left on schedule.

Passengers stuck in the Northeast may not be able to return to Southwest Florida until Monday, according to some airlines. Vouchers for canceled flights are available, but passengers should contact airlines directly.