Delta: most flights close to regular schedule

By Kristi E. Swartz

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Most Delta Air Lines flights should be back on their regular schedule within the next hour, an airline spokesman said at 2 p.m. Friday.

Delta was delaying flights into Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport -- some for as much as an hour -- as part of way to prevent a large number of planes flying in at the same time.

Some Delta travelers may still not leave Atlanta as scheduled, as crews continue to de-ice planes before they leave the airport, said Anthony Black, a spokesman for Atlanta-based Delta.

Flights leaving Hartsfield-Jackson Airport have been delayed because crews are de-icing the planes,

De-icing happens after passengers board the planes. So while it seems like the flight may take off on time, travelers have to sit tight while crews work.

Delta canceled 198 flights out of Hartsfield on Thursday because of ice and snow. Some Delta flights also did not make it in to Atlanta late last night, causing some early-morning flights out of Hartsfield to be canceled as well.

Delta did not cancel any additional flights, a spokesman said.

Air Tran hasn't canceled flights, either, but the airline has delayed 12 of them, a spokeswoman said.

A spokeswoman at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport also reported no delays.

Airport workers have been de-icing the runways and taxiways as well as crosswalks, spokeswoman Katena Carvajales told AJC.com Friday.

The Federal Aviation Administration has posted on its Web site a notice for a so-called "traffic management program" for Delta Air Lines flights.

Check back at ajc.com for more information.