More than 400 flights were delayed and 281 canceled Monday at Logan International Airport in Boston amid a ground delay issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA implemented the ground stop starting at 7:30 a.m. and scheduled to continue until 2:59 a.m. Tuesday, with inbound flights facing average delays exceeding five hours.
Weather and Construction Drive Delays
The FAA attributed the ground delay to ongoing runway and taxiway construction at Logan. Massport, the airport’s operator, confirmed that lingering effects from a nor’easter combined with the construction caused operational disruptions, hampering flight schedules throughout the day.
Massport spokesperson Jennifer Mehigan stated that a runway
typically used for high wind conditions remained closed for construction, forcing planes to be rerouted to alternate runways.
Operational Challenges and Air Traffic Control
With the closure of the primary runway due to construction, air traffic controllers had to redirect traffic to other runways. Mehigan explained this rerouting reduced the efficiency of moving aircraft on the ground, contributing to longer delays and flight cancellations.
Nor’easter’s Rain and Wind Impact
The nor’easter dropped between 3 and more than 7 inches of rain across southern New England, including the Boston area. Additional lighter showers and up to an inch of rain were expected through Monday evening as the storm gradually weakens and shifts
northward.
Winds accompanying the storm were forecast to diminish later in the day, easing the impact on flight operations.
Massport urged travelers to verify flight status with airlines prior to arriving at Logan International Airport.
