Canceled Flights at LAX Increase Due to Sandy

Airlines have canceled nearly 16,000 flights across the country since Sunday because of the stormy weathers pummeling the East Coast, including more than 300 flights that had been scheduled to fly in or out of LAX.

According to Los Angeles International Airport spokesman Albert Rodriguez, as of about 9 p.m. Monday, some 10 airlines had canceled 304 flights at LAX since Sunday involving the East Coast because of Hurricane Sandy. Figures for today were not immediately available.

Airport officials suggested that departing passengers and motorists picking up passengers check with their airlines before heading to the airport. Flight status information at LAX is also available at www.lawa.org/fsw/default.aspx.

The FAA's website also provides up-to-the-minute conditions at all U.S. airports at www.faa.gov. Click on "Airport Status and Delays."

According to an update on the the website www.flightaware.com this morning, "it is unlikely there will be scheduled flight operations to/from NYC today, and some airlines have begun canceling flights on Wednesday."

The website said more than 15,770 cancellations have been reported around the country because of the hurricane, as follows:

-- 1,300 flights canceled Sunday;

-- 7,791 flights canceled Monday;

-- 6,047 flights canceled so far today; and

-- 635 flights canceled for Wednesday.

"We expect the number (today and Wednesday) to rise once damage can be assessed and re-open times are communicated," the website reported.