Flight cancellations begin at DFW, Love Field airports ahead of winter storm

Even before the winter storm arrived in North Texas, flight cancellations at both major airports in North Texas piled up.

As of 9 a.m. Saturday, at least 1,290 flights have been canceled into and out of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, along with 34 delays, according to flight tracking site FlightAware. At Love Field, 74 flights have been canceled. 

As sleet, freezing rain and snow continue to fall across the region, more cancellations and delays are expected through the weekend. 

Airlines have issued travel waivers to affected passengers, allowing for free flight changes. Fort Worth-based American Airlines said it is "repositioning aircraft, aligning crew resources and reinforcing staffing at key airports while coordinating with our partners to help minimize disruption and set the stage for a fast, safe recovery once conditions improve."

Dallas-based Southwest Airlines warned that rebooking may take time due to the size and severity of the storm. "We are actively working to secure your new itinerary and appreciate your patience," the airline said on its travel advisory.

DFW Airport said Friday afternoon that will have staff working around the clock to remove ice and snow from runways and taxiways, as well as the roads and bridges that allow access to the airport. 

"The airport's size and scale require a highly coordinated approach to winter weather preparedness," the airport said in a news release. That includes coordination with airlines, the National Weather Service, the Federal Aviation Administration and other agencies.