Local airports saw more than 200 delays and about 100 cancellations Monday due to the latest COVID-19 surge.

Litsung Lim, who was planning to travel home to Detroit today, was among those whose flights were cancelled. He was on the shuttle bus at LaGuardia Airport when he got the news.

“My flight tonight was cancelled and now I’m looking for other flights and looking to see if I can get a refund through my credit card company or through the airlines,” Lim said.

What You Need To Know

  • Area airports saw more than 200 delays and about 100 cancellations Monday

  • Airlines have been facing staffing shortages due to the pandemic and the rise in cases due to the omicron variant

  • The CDC shortened the quarantine guidance from 10 days to five days, if asymptomatic, followed by five days of wearing a mask when around others

Airlines are reporting staffing shortages due to crew members testing positive for COVID-19 amid a rise in the omicron variant. With more employees quarantining at home, less are available to work their shifts, resulting in flight cancellations and delays.

Area airports saw more than 200 delays and about 100 cancellations Friday as well.

Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cut isolation restrictions for Americans who catch COVID-19 from 10 to five days, if asymptomatic, followed by five days of wearing a mask when around others.

Andrew Chavaria and his girlfriend Cassandra both work in health care, and say they take safety precautions seriously.

“We both got our testing done, we wanted to make sure we were both negative before we hop on our flight,” Chavaria said.

They were headed back home to Miami for New Years after spending Christmas in New York City. When we spoke to them they were waiting with bated breath, since their flight was still on schedule.

“I know flights are being cancelled left and right, but fortunately ours has not been cancelled as of right now at least. I am a little bit worried about it, considering everything that has been going on,” Chavaria said.

Thousands of travelers have been impacted by the delays and cancellations, making travel difficult this holiday season. 

Lim told NY1 he wish he got a little more notice.

“I feel annoyed and irritated because there really isn’t much information until I got here,” Lim said. 

Travelers we spoke to recommend frequently checking your email or text on the status of your flight.