(Reuters) -Airlines in the United States canceled or delayed thousands of flights on Thursday as a strengthening Hurricane Helene is expected to make landfall in Florida’s Big Bend this evening.
A total of 1,218 flights have been canceled and 4,146 delayed as of 5:59 PM ET, according to flight tracking website FlightAware.
Southwest Airlines (NYSE:) has canceled 201 flights, the most of any airline, followed closely by American Airlines (NASDAQ:) and Delta Air Lines (NYSE:).
Officials have issued dire warnings and urged residents in coastal areas along the hurricane’s path to evacuate ahead of catastrophic winds and a potentially deadly storm surge.
Airports in affected regions such as Tampa International, Orlando International and Fort Lauderdale International have also posted messages on
American Airlines has issued a travel advisory for airports in the southeastern US and the Gulf of Mexico. JetBlue and Southwest Airlines have also issued similar advisories.
