Three airports in Texas are set to close on January 21 due to the extreme weather conditions that have swept through the state.
Houston Airports said in a press release that flights at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, William P. Hobby Airport and Ellington Airport will be suspended starting from 12 a.m. on Tuesday.
Newsweek has contacted the press office of Houston Airports for comment.
Why It Matters
Texas is a major hub for both domestic and international air traffic, with airports such as George Bush Intercontinental being key transportation centers. The closure of airports can lead to massive disruptions in air travel. Given the large volume of flights that pass through Texas, such closures can create a ripple effect across the entire U.S. airspace.
The temporary closure of the Texas airports could also disrupt business travel, tourism, and the transportation of goods, since cargo flights, carrying essential supplies, could also be delayed. The cumulative effect could impact the state's economy and businesses that rely on smooth air transportation.
What To Know
Houston has been experiencing below-average temperatures as a polar vortex ushered in cooler conditions across the state.
The wind chill has been described as "dangerously cold" by the National Weather Service, which also warned that prolonged exposure could cause hypothermia.
The Houston Airports cited the "extremely hazardous road conditions throughout Houston" caused by the extreme weather as the reason for the temporary closure of the three major airports.
Travelers with existing travel plans have been advised to contact their airline for rebooking options and to avoid driving to the airports.
According to the information on Flight Aware, 401 flights previously scheduled to depart tomorrow have been canceled at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport, and 127 at the William P. Hobby Airport.
Per the site, there are also cancellations in place for tomorrow in other airports in Texas, although the outlet does not specify if the weather is the reason behind each of the cancellations.
Flight Aware's listed cancellations of flight departing from Texas airports tomorrow includes 27 in San Antonio International Airport; 23 in Dallas Love Field Airport; 22 in Austin-Bergstrom International Airport; 20 in Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, 11 in Midland International Air and Space Port; 10 in Valley International Airport; nine in Corpus Christi International Airport; eight in El Paso International Airport; seven in McAllen International Airport; five in Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport; two in Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport; and two in Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport.
What People Are Saying
Houston Airports said in its press release: "Please do not attempt to travel to the airport after this time. While there will be no departing or arriving flights, our dedicated teams will remain on-site 24-7, working diligently to prepare for a swift and safe return to normal operations when weather permits.
"Houston Airports will deploy snowplows and heavy machinery to clear the airfield and prepare for a safe return to operations as soon as weather conditions allow."
What Happens Next
It is not yet known how long the closures of the three major airports will be. The National Weather Service for Houston predicted the freezing temperatures could continue at least until Wednesday afternoon.
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