Big Blunderers: Spirit and JetBlue cancel hundreds of flights

Spirit Airlines flights were cancelled this weekend due to shortage of staff and weather conditions in Florida late in the week, making it difficult for customers to reach their destinations.

According to flight tracker Flight Aware, the two airlines, which were among the carriers with the most cancellations a week ago as Florida weather troubles impacted travel across the country, have cancelled a total of 254 flights on Sunday after cancelling more than 300 flights on Saturday. Every day, more than half of all flights in the United States are cancelled.

As of 2:30 p.m. ET, JetBlue had cancelled 18 percent of its Saturday flights and 13% of its Sunday flights. Spirit has cancelled 14% of its Saturday flights and 13% of its Sunday flights due to inclement weather.

“We had some big news at JetBlue this week, and while that has rightly been the focus of a lot of buzz, I want to assure you our #1 priority right now is the operation,” Joanna Geraghty said. “You have been simply incredible under very difficult circumstances, and we want to thank you for all you are doing to take care of our Customers. We are letting you and our customers down, and that is not consistent with what we stand for.

Geraghty said poor weather and Air Traffic Control (ATC) delays have led to “cascading problems” this month. The flight cancellations and delays have put planes and flight crews out of place, worsening a staffing shortage. The airline has already hired 2,300 workers this year but is still short, Geraghty said.

“We are working around the clock to address some of the most difficult operating conditions we have ever faced as a company,” the memo said.

“The budget airline is still struggling with flight cancellations as it recovers from poor weather and ATC issues on Thursday and Friday in Florida.”- Spirit spokesperson Erik Hofmeyer said.

As the aviation industry adjusts to post-pandemic travel, a quick fix is unclear.