Flights at Albert J. Ellis Airport see delays and cancellations during Tropical Storm Helene

RICHLANDS, N.C. (WITN) - Multiple American and Delta flights were canceled or delayed at Albert J. Ellis Airport as Tropical Storm Helene made its way across the East.

Allen Frazier planned his trip months ago for a big event, but that changed on Friday when Tropical Storm Helene reached eastern Carolina.

“I get a couple emails about how many flights are getting delayed right now so it’s a toll on a lot of people,” said Frazier.

American and Delta are the two main airlines with hubs in Atlanta and Charlotte. Both cities saw much worse conditions from Tropical Storm Helene than Eastern Carolina.

“Two canceled flights going to Charlotte and the remainder of them have been delayed a little bit,” said Mitch Sprunger, the airport director. “Our Atlanta flights also had some weather delays as well, so we have received a lot of phone calls from people wanting to know what’s going on.”

Phyllis Davis visits Jacksonville often and says she is happy her flight from Atlanta wasn’t worse.

“Considering it was supposed to go right to Atlanta bad,” said Davis. ”I thought I would get stuck in Atlanta actually but no I am here ready to see my family.”

It’s important to keep up to date on flights by downloading the airline app, checking OAJ website or calling a designated airline agent.