DENVER — As Denver International Airport prepares to welcome more than 550,000 passengers over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, canceled flights spiked even further Thursday.
As of 4:45 p.m. Thursday, there were 656 delays, according to FlightAware, and 174 cancellations. Inbound flights are about 1 hour and 44 minutes delayed, the airport said at 5:56 p.m., and departures are 1 hour and 26 minutes delayed — and increasing.
Of the canceled flights, 115 are United Airlines, which has reportedly been having the majority of issues over the last four days. Denver was No. 1 for the most amount of canceled flights both arriving and departing in the United States.
Denver
Busy holiday travel weekend expected to impact stranded travelers at DEN
Approximately 3,000 cots were given out to stranded passengers between Monday and Tuesday. United Airlines has attributed the issues to both the FAA reducing flight capacity and severe weather across the Northeastern U.S.
Local
Thousands of travelers stranded at DIA, more than 5 dozen flights canceled
Those cots could still be seen lining the United terminal at DIA Thursday morning.
Airline passengers have rights that are enforced by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
According to the D.O.T., a customer is entitled to a refund if the airline canceled a flight, regardless of the reason, and the consumer chooses not to travel.
Local
Thousands of passengers remain stranded at DIA Wednesday
In addition to planning ahead for potential flight delays and cancellations over the weekend, DIA in a tweet, it will close Pikes Peak Shuttle Lot Friday from 2 a.m. to 8 p.m. as it nears capacity. Then travelers will be directed to the new Longs Peak Shuttle Lot. So factor in time for parking if you're leaving your car.
Coloradans returning to pick up their cars during this time will be able to get into the lot though.
American flags won’t be the only thing flying high this weekend! 🇺🇸 Travelers will be taking to the skies in record numbers as the busiest season for travel in Denver kicks off.
— Denver Int'l Airport (@DENAirport) June 29, 2023
Here's what you can expect: pic.twitter.com/vOsrnVt9oj