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AeroTime • Ian Molyneaux

Massive March storm triggers FAA ground stops at ATL and CLT; thousands of U.S. flights canceled during spring break

A fast-moving March storm system swept the Midwest and East Coast, forcing FAA ground stops at Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta (ATL) and Charlotte (CLT) and producing thousands of cancellations and widespread delays at major hubs — including travel chaos at Orlando (MCO) — during the busy spring‑break period.

2026-03-16T07:59:35.491820-07:00

CNBC

Government shutdown leaves TSA unpaid as security lines swell; airline CEOs press Congress to restore pay

2026-03-16T04:57:50.366072-07:00

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

Drone strike ignites fuel-tank fire at Dubai airport; Emirates and foreign carriers temporarily suspend flights

2026-03-16T04:38:51.999917-07:00

Cranky Flier

Southwest pulls back from Chicago O'Hare and Washington Dulles, refocusing on Midway, BWI and Reagan

2026-03-16T03:48:56.539794-07:00

News Timeline

AeroTime

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Massive March storm triggers FAA ground stops at ATL and CLT; thousands of U.S. flights canceled during spring break A fast-moving March storm system swept the Midwest and East Coast, forcing FAA ground stops at Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta (ATL) and Charlotte (CLT) and producing thousands of cancellations and widespread delays at major hubs — including travel chaos at Orlando (MCO) — during the busy spring‑break period.

2026-03-16T07:59:35.491820-07:00

Massive March storm triggers FAA ground stops at ATL and CLT; thousands of U.S. flights canceled during spring break

CNBC

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Government shutdown leaves TSA unpaid as security lines swell; airline CEOs press Congress to restore pay A partial government shutdown has left TSA officers working without pay, stretching security lines at major U.S. airports and prompting some airports to solicit donations. Airline CEOs are urging Congress to restore funding after carriers say hundreds of officers have quit, risking disruption during spring break and World Cup 2026.

2026-03-16T04:57:50.366072-07:00

Government shutdown leaves TSA unpaid as security lines swell; airline CEOs press Congress to restore pay

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

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Drone strike ignites fuel-tank fire at Dubai airport; Emirates and foreign carriers temporarily suspend flights A drone strike set a fuel-storage tank ablaze at Dubai International on 16 March, prompting Dubai to suspend all foreign-operated flights and Emirates to temporarily halt operations before resuming later that day after inspections. The incident forced cancellations and wider disruptions across Middle East–Europe services.

2026-03-16T04:38:51.999917-07:00

Drone strike ignites fuel-tank fire at Dubai airport; Emirates and foreign carriers temporarily suspend flights

ch-aviation

Uzbekistan to sell Samarkand International Airport to settle government debts Uzbekistan plans to sell Samarkand International Airport to settle government debts, ch-aviation reports. The proposed divestment transfers ownership of a major regional gateway and represents a direct fiscal step by the state to reduce liabilities, with implications for airport operations and financing.

2026-03-16T04:23:52.048832-07:00

Uzbekistan to sell Samarkand International Airport to settle government debts

Cranky Flier

Southwest pulls back from Chicago O'Hare and Washington Dulles, refocusing on Midway, BWI and Reagan Southwest is abandoning its pandemic-era strategy of operating primary-airport services alongside existing secondary hubs, withdrawing from Chicago O'Hare and Washington Dulles and reverting focus to Midway, BWI and Reagan. The airline previously ended its Houston IAH experiment in 2024; O'Hare now follows suit.

2026-03-16T03:48:56.539794-07:00

Southwest pulls back from Chicago O'Hare and Washington Dulles, refocusing on Midway, BWI and Reagan

SpaceWatch Global

ESA Contracts OKAPI:Orbits, TU Braunschweig and DLR to Bridge Space Traffic Coordination and Air Traffic Management ESA has contracted OKAPI:Orbits, with TU Braunschweig and DLR as partners, to lead a project that will bridge space traffic coordination and air traffic management. The work aims to integrate coordination processes and information sharing between orbital operators and civil ATM systems to improve deconfliction.

2026-03-16T03:38:10.795002-07:00

ESA Contracts OKAPI:Orbits, TU Braunschweig and DLR to Bridge Space Traffic Coordination and Air Traffic Management

Aviation Source

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Heathrow records busiest February with 5.8 million passengers as half‑term boosts demand Heathrow Airport recorded a record February 2026, handling 5.8 million passengers as the school half‑term holiday concentrated demand. The result is the busiest February on record for the UK hub and signals robust early‑year travel volumes that will shape operational and commercial planning.

2026-03-15T14:59:33.651492-07:00

Heathrow records busiest February with 5.8 million passengers as half‑term boosts demand

Aviation.travel

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Riyadh Air unveils 15-route launch network, posing fresh threat to Emirates and Qatar Saudi-backed Riyadh Air has revealed an initial 15-destination network across Europe, the Middle East and Asia, according to a slot coordination report. The launch positions the new carrier to enter an already turbulent Gulf market and challenge incumbent Gulf hubs.

2026-03-14T06:45:18.479491-07:00

Riyadh Air unveils 15-route launch network, posing fresh threat to Emirates and Qatar

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Airport Infrastructure & Air Traffic Management News

Massive March storm triggers FAA ground stops at ATL and CLT; thousands of U.S. flights canceled during spring break

Government shutdown leaves TSA unpaid as security lines swell; airline CEOs press Congress to restore pay

Drone strike ignites fuel-tank fire at Dubai airport; Emirates and foreign carriers temporarily suspend flights

Southwest pulls back from Chicago O'Hare and Washington Dulles, refocusing on Midway, BWI and Reagan

News Timeline