The fire at the Chicago air traffic control facility that halted flights in and out of Chicago’s two airports had an impact here in North Texas.
Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport reported more than a dozen flights to Chicago were canceled Friday morning.
American Airlines, which has hubs at both DFW and O'Hare in Chicago, said they had to cancel 786 flights nationwide due to the fire.
About 50 flights between DFW and Chicago were impacted by the fire Friday.
Many passengers we spoke with said the cancellations caused serious headaches.
“I was upset because I am trying to go,” said passenger London Willis. “I need to go.”
Willis said she had been at the airport for two hours before finding out her flight had been canceled to Chicago. Her mother works for American Airlines and told her there was a possibility this could happen. She has decided not to wait around for anther flight.
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“I am about to get my bag and go home,” said Willis, “All of the flights are canceled for the day, so there is no point.”
Some passengers had a little warning there might be problems getting to Chicago.
“One of our high school friends from Chicago texted me about 7:30 this morning,” said passenger Susan Fuquay.
Fuquay said she is disappointed she will not be able to attend a planned event on time.
“We were traveling for a high school reunion,” she said. “We had some friends in Chicago and we were going to drive to Wisconsin, so not as crucial as some, but we are being delayed until tomorrow.”
Southwest Airlines has also reported all flights to Chicago-Midway International Airport and Milwaukee’s General Mitchell International Airport have been cancelled until at least noon.
NBC 5's Kevin Cokely contributed to this report.
