Flights could be impacted by Hurricane Michael

DAYTON, Ohio -- Travelers across the nation can expect to see flight cancellations and delays as Hurricane Michael approaches Florida's Panhandle.

Several airlines have started waiving re-booking charges as the now Category 2 storm makes way to land Wednesday afternoon, with meteorologists expected it to reach a Category 3 by landfall. Mandatory evacuations have been issued to at least 16 Florida counties, sparking flight cancellations at Florida airports, including Panama City.

Flights to Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach, Tallahassee and Mobile, Alabama, are also likely to be heavily impacted as Michael approaches.

American Airlines, United Airlines and Southwest have all cancelled flights flying into the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport. The Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport will cease all operations beginning at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.

Flights through major hub Atlanta, the largest airport in the nation, could also be affected as the remnants of the storm pass through Georgia mid-week. The cancellations could also affect other flights with aircraft not lining up in the correct locations.

The hurricane adds to delays due to thunderstorms expected near Dallas and clouds at major airports including Atlanta, New York, Philadelphia and Seattle, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Story Filed By Cox Newspapers

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