United and Delta Proactively Canceled Christmas Eve Flights Due to Omicron Cases

United and Delta canceled a significant number of Christmas Eve flights because of omicron cases. As of Thursday evening, United canceled 112 Christmas Eve flights while Delta Air lines canceled around 90 flights.

Hundreds of Christmas Eve Flights Canceled

According to United’s statement, “The nationwide spike in omicron cases this week has had a direct impact on our flight crews and the people who run our operation”. It added that “As a result, we’ve unfortunately had to cancel some flights”.

Delta, on the other hand, said that “a combination of issues” led to the cancelations. In a statement, Delta said among issues include “potential inclement weather in some areas and the impact of the omicron variant”.

Call to Shorten Isolation Period for Vaccinated Individuals

Airlines for America, the group that represents major US airlines, asked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to shorten the isolation period for vaccinated individuals who tested positive for COVID19. According to A4A, the omicron surge could disrupt operations this holiday season.

Nick Calio A4A’s CEO said in a letter to CDC Director Rochelle Walensky that “The omicron surge may exacerbate personnel shortages and create significant disruptions to our workforce and operations”.

A4A proposed to have an isolation period of five days for breakthrough infections. According to Calio, this way, individuals “would be able to end isolation with an appropriate testing protocol”.

The requests came after the US recorded a spike in cases of the omicron variant. Walensky on Wednesday announced that omicron is responsible for 90% of all COVID cases in the US.

Sara Nelson, the president of the Association of Flight Attendants, doesn’t agree with A4A’s suggestion. Nelson said some flight attendants might get “forced to come back before they feel better”. Nelson also said that omicron is “really concerning”, “not only for our health but also the conditions at work”.