Flights canceled, leaving travelers stranded

By Charles Bassett, NEWS 9

American Airlines canceled several flights on Wednesday. The carrier grounded more than 1,000 flights to do safety checks. It's the second time in less than two weeks, which made for a stressful day for passengers at Will Rogers World Airport.

Passengers were not notified of the cancellations until the last minute. Frustrated travelers stood in line Wednesday morning trying to rebook their flights on other carriers.

"We're going to San Diego because we're taking a cruise to Cabo San Lucas," said one couple whose flight was cancelled. "They called us as we were walking out the door to tell us it was cancelled."

A total of four flights here at Will Rogers were cancelled, along with three in and out of Tulsa.
Airline workers were busy trying to get passengers on other flights.

"The flight I was rebooked on they don't think I can get on it because my connection won't make it," said Rebecca Rae.

It was the second round of cancellations of American Airline flights. The company grounded the planes to inspect wiring on its MD-80 aircraft in compliance with federal regulations.

The airport is advising passengers to check with their airlines for the status of their flights and all connecting flights.

"I think we're going to see this more today and probably throughout the short term, maybe extending even into the summertime," said Mark Kranenburg, Oklahoma City's Director of Airports.

Other airlines have an agreement to help each other when flight cancellations happen. That's how some passengers were able to get to their destinations.