Hobby Airport Flight Cancellations: What You Need To Know

Houston's Hobby Airport has experienced cancellations and delays due to various reasons, including maintenance issues, weather, and tropical storms. For example, in February 2019, Southwest Airlines canceled nine flights due to mechanical problems and a winter storm. Similarly, in July 2024, Tropical Storm Beryl caused disruptions, with Houston Airports warning travelers about potential delays and cancellations even for flights outside the storm's direct path. Real-time status updates for Hobby Airport can be found on the FAA's Air Traffic Control System Command Center website, which provides information on general departure and arrival delays.

Delays at Hobby Airport due to Tropical Storm Beryl

Houston's William P. Hobby Airport is currently experiencing disruptions due to Tropical Storm Beryl. The airport has warned travellers that delays and cancellations are possible, even for flights not travelling to or from areas directly affected by the storm.

General departure delays are being reported, with traffic experiencing gate hold and taxi delays of 15 minutes or less. Similarly, arrival traffic is experiencing airborne delays of 15 minutes or less.

Tropical Storm Beryl is expected to make landfall in Texas, with Acting Governor Dan Patrick and TDEM Chief Nim Kidd discussing the state's preparations for the storm. Travellers have been encouraged to monitor weather updates and check their flight status before heading to the airport.

Previously, in February 2019, Southwest Airlines cancelled nine flights out of Hobby Airport due to mechanical issues and a winter storm. The airline proactively cancelled flights across the Midwest, Ohio Valley and the Northeast. Similarly, in March 2024, Southwest Airlines flights were cancelled due to maintenance and weather issues.

Southwest Airlines flights cancelled because of mechanical issues

On February 20, 2019, Southwest Airlines cancelled hundreds of flights due to unspecified mechanical issues. The airline grounded more than 40 planes, causing travel chaos for passengers. Southwest Airlines declared an "operational emergency", with double the usual number of planes out of service.

The airline's management attributed the issue to the mechanics' union, amid a long-running labour dispute. Southwest's COO called out the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, which represents the airline's mechanics, claiming that the union has a history of work disruptions. In response, the union accused management of scapegoating maintenance technicians and diverting attention from safety issues.

While experts stated that neither side would compromise safety, the cancellations caused significant disruption to travellers' plans. Southwest Airlines' management pointed to the harsh winter weather as a contributing factor, alongside the mechanical issues.

The Houston William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) website provides real-time status updates on airport conditions, including departure and arrival delays. However, as of January 6, 2025, no destination-specific delays were reported, with only minor gate hold and taxi delays of 15 minutes or less.

Southwest Airlines also provides travel advisories and alerts on its website, offering information on weather conditions, travel restrictions, and other factors that may impact travel plans.

Winter storm causes cancellations across the Midwest

Houston's Hobby Airport disruptions

Houston's Hobby Airport experienced disruptions and cancellations as a result of the winter storm that swept across the Midwest. Southwest Airlines, the dominant carrier at the airport, cancelled nine flights due to mechanical issues and the approaching winter storm. The airline also cited a long-running labour dispute as a contributing factor. These cancellations affected flights to Baltimore, Dallas, Oakland, Washington D.C., Austin, San Antonio, and New York.

Midwest, Ohio Valley and Northeast affected

The winter storm caused significant travel disruptions across the Midwest, Ohio Valley and Northeast regions. Southwest Airlines proactively cancelled more than 350 flights between late Tuesday and Wednesday morning in anticipation of the storm. This was in addition to the hundreds of planes experiencing mechanical issues.

Delays at Hobby Airport

While there were no destination-specific delays reported, Hobby Airport did experience general departure and arrival delays. On January 6, 2025, traffic departing from the airport encountered gate hold and taxi delays of 15 minutes or less. Similarly, arrival traffic experienced airborne delays of 15 minutes or less.

Previous disruptions at Hobby Airport

Houston's Hobby Airport has previously experienced disruptions due to inclement weather. In December 2024, Tropical Storm Beryl caused delays and cancellations at the airport, impacting travellers even on flights not directly in the storm's path.

Delays and cancellations due to labour dispute

Delays and cancellations can be a frustrating part of the travel experience, and when they occur due to factors like labour disputes, it can be even more frustrating for passengers. In the case of Houston's Hobby Airport, such an incident took place in late February 2019, causing significant disruptions to travel plans.

On February 20, 2019, Southwest Airlines, the dominant carrier at Houston's Hobby Airport, experienced cancellations of nine flights due to a combination of mechanical issues and unfavourable weather conditions. The mechanical problems were attributed to a long-running labour dispute at the Dallas-based airline, which had been ongoing since 2012. This dispute involved contract talks with the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, an independent union representing aircraft maintenance technicians.

The impact of these cancellations was felt across multiple destinations, including Baltimore, Dallas, Oakland, Washington D.C., Austin, San Antonio, and New York. The issues were not isolated to a specific theme, according to the airline, and planes across the nation were grounded at a rate twice the daily average. This resulted in gate hold and taxi delays of 15 minutes or less for departing flights and similar airborne delays for arriving flights.

In response to the situation, Southwest Airlines emphasised their efforts to maximise the utilisation of their mechanics. The airline's spokesperson stated that they were "operating under a staffing protocol... to maximise the availability of mechanics across all scheduled shifts to address maintenance items." This allowed them to safely return aircraft to service and minimise further disruptions.

While labour disputes can sometimes lead to delays and cancellations, it is important for passengers to stay informed about the status of their flights. Real-time updates and flight tracking tools are available on various websites and mobile applications, empowering travellers with the information they need to navigate travel disruptions with greater ease.

General arrival and departure delays of 15 minutes or less

As of January 6, 2025, the Houston William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) is experiencing general arrival and departure delays of 15 minutes or less. This means that if you are travelling to or from HOU, you may encounter minor delays.

General departure delays are due to gate hold and taxi delays, which are currently lasting 15 minutes or under. Similarly, arrival traffic is facing airborne delays of 15 minutes or less. These delays are relatively standard for HOU, which has an average delay of 15 minutes per flight. While this may not seem like a significant amount of time, these delays can accumulate, especially for passengers with connecting flights.

It is always recommended to check the status of your flight before heading to the airport to avoid any potential delays. Additionally, for domestic departures, it is advised to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours in advance, and for international departures, at least 3 hours in advance, to account for any unforeseen delays. HOU has an average of 120 departing flights per day and serves approximately 14 million passengers annually, so it is a busy airport.

To stay updated with the latest departure and arrival information, travellers can visit the airport's official website or mobile app, or refer to their airline's website or mobile app. Real-time updates on flight schedules, including departure times and gate numbers, are typically available through these sources. Alternatively, information kiosks are located throughout the airport terminals, where travellers can verify their flight status and even print their boarding passes.

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