Hundreds Of Flights Canceled At Major NJ Airports This Month

NEW JERSEY - Summer travel, both domestic and abroad, has been hindered by staff shortages, with thousands of flights canceled across the U.S. and in New Jersey this month alone.

Data from FlightAware shows there have been more than 760 cancellations and 3,200 delays on flights within, into or out of the U.S. on Thursday, with 404 cancellations and 561 delays as of 7:30 a.m. Friday. Globally, there’s about 6,400 delays Friday as of publication.

In New Jersey, that number amounts to 113 scrapped flights in the last 24 hours. Newark Liberty International Airport has 113 canceled flights, while Atlantic City International Airport had one and Trenton Mercer Airport reported zero.

On Friday morning, Newark Airport reported 7 percent of its total flights canceled, in addition to six delays.

The rising number of cancellations comes amid a nationwide shortage of pilots and crew, as well as aircraft availability. Factor in bad weather and pilots’ limited number of hours in the sky (a quota that is typically capped as the end of the month gets closer) and you have the perfect recipe for scores of delays and cancellations.

"We may not have seen the worst of this," Kit Darby, founder of Kit Darby Aviation Consulting, told CBS MoneyWatch, as Fourth of July weekend inches closer and travel is expected to continue through the summer.

"Right now, when you have normal things like airplane maintenance or weather, delays are much more severely felt,” Darby said. “There are no reserved extra pilots, planes, flight attendants — and the chain is only good as the weakest link.”

And your flight is experiencing delays, it's also up to the airline to accommodate you with meals or a hotel room. Since there are no federal law requiring airlines to compensate passengers during a delay, it's up to the specific airline to offer any amenities. Refunds for significant delays are determined by the U.S. Department of Transportation on a "case by case basis," according to the government website.

If a flight is cancelled, most airlines will rebook your trip on the next available flight to the destination. You're also entitled to a refund for unused transportation (even non-refundable tickets) and any extras purchased, such as a bag fee and seat assignment. If you still plan to travel, you may have some luck asking the airline to see if another carrier has open seats and transfer your trip.

"Remember, however, that airlines are not required to do this," the U.S. DOT website says. "Also, be aware that finding available seats on another airline’s flight may be difficult, especially during holidays and other peak travel times."

Read more: Major Airline Cutting Flights From Newark Airport: Reports