LAX Grapples With Spirit And American Airlines Cancellations

LOS ANGELES, CA — Spirit Airlines and American Airlines continued canceling flights Tuesday, including some from Los Angeles International Airport, as they worked to recover from severe thunderstorms in Texas that began disrupting operations over the weekend.

According to FlightAware.com, American Airlines had already canceled nearly 290 flights nationwide by late morning Tuesday, with more than 400 delayed. Spirit had scrubbed 347 flights, and delayed more than 80 others.

It was unclear exactly how many of the airlines' flights at LAX were impacted, with FlightAware showing only 20 flights overall out of LAX canceled by late morning Tuesday, and about 40 others canceled. But big crowds and long lines were evident at the airport Tuesday morning, particularly at the Spirit Airlines counter.

The flight issues began Sunday, prompting American to cancel more than 800 flights through Monday, while delaying thousands of others. American officials told customers the issue was bad weather that battered its Dallas hub on Sunday.

Spirit, which is based primarily in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, but also has a hub in Dallas, canceled more than 400 flights on Sunday and Monday.

Spirit Airlines spokesman Erik Hofmeyer blamed the flight cancellations on weather and unspecified mechanical challenges.

"We're working around the clock to get back on track in the wake of some travel disruptions over the weekend due to a series of weather and operational challenges," Hofmeyer said in a statement. "We needed to make proactive cancellations to some flights across the network, but the majority of flights are still scheduled as planned."

Travelers with Spirit flights were urged to check their email and flight status before heading to the airport.

City News Service