Summary Box: Snowstorm in South, a rarity, forces hundreds of flight cancellations

Summary Box: Snow forces flight cancellations

WHAT’S HAPPENING?: Airlines canceled hundreds of flights ahead of a snowstorm expected to hit Atlanta.

WHY?: Carriers are proactive about cancelations before severe storms hit so they can get passengers on other flights and plan for the impact cancellations will have on their entire systems. Waiting until after a storm to cancel flights can cause bottlenecks.

WHY DOES THIS MATTER?: Travelers don’t like to come to the airport thinking their flight will operate as scheduled only to be told it was just canceled. Proactive cancelations also can help airlines limit financial damage.