Travelers at South Florida airports faced widespread disruptions Sunday as a powerful winter storm in the Northeast combined with temporary federal screening changes to create long lines, cancellations and soaring ticket prices.
Passengers at Miami International Airport reported confusion after the Department of Homeland Security briefly paused TSA PreCheck, the expedited security screening program. The policy was later reversed, allowing PreCheck to remain available.
Meanwhile, a major snowstorm battering the Northeast triggered thousands of flight cancellations nationwide. According to flight tracking data, more than 8,000 flights were canceled Sunday, with over 5,000 additional cancellations already reported for Monday.
At MIA, long lines formed at both domestic and international checkpoints. Some travelers attempted to rebook flights to avoid being stranded, only to encounter steep one-way fares. On the American Airlines app, no one-way seats were available to New York City or Boston-area airports. One-way tickets to Philadelphia were listed at about $2,300, while flights to Washington, D.C., ranged from roughly $2,200 to nearly $2,700.
Passengers said the high prices added to the stress of already uncertain travel plans. Dozens of flights departing South Florida, including from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, were also affected.
With the storm continuing to impact the Northeast, travelers were advised to check with airlines for updates as delays and cancellations are expected to extend into Monday.