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Several flights destined for major East Coast cities were diverted to Harrisburg International Airport (HIA) on Thursday (July 31) due to severe weather conditions. According to HIA's executive director, six commercial flights and one military flight were rerouted to the airport. Despite the diversions, passengers remained on their planes, likely taking the opportunity to refuel before continuing their journeys.
The weather disruptions affected flights heading to Philadelphia, New York City, and Washington, D.C., as reported by WGAL. Severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall were expected to hit the region, prompting airlines to issue travel waivers. Johnny Jet noted that over 800 flights were canceled across the United States by midday, with numbers continuing to rise.
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) experienced significant delays, with an average ground delay of 135 minutes due to thunderstorms. The extreme weather, including a flood watch, was anticipated to bring up to five inches of rain in some areas, as reported by WPVI.
Passengers traveling through the affected airports, including Baltimore, Boston, and New York, were advised to check their flight status and consider rescheduling to avoid long delays. The weather challenges are expected to persist through the weekend, with airlines continuing to monitor conditions closely.