Flights Canceled But No Stress - FOX 42: Omaha News, Sports and Weather; kptm.com |

Leah Uko

OMAHA (KPTM) - Flight cancellations out east are having a ripple effect across the country. FOX 42's Leah Uko reports live from Eppley Airfield where Hurricane Sandy is to blame for six canceled flights.

The airport's director of operations said United Airlines had to cancel three round-trip flights to Newark, U.S. Airways canceled two round-trip flights and Frontier Airlines canceled one flight.

Passengers were notified Sunday night that their flights were canceled. Although their flight plans have stopped, some said life at their destinations has not.

There wasn't much foot traffic in the airport Monday—partially because it is Monday. But also because Hurricane Sandy—taking place hundreds of miles away—has effects spreading to Omaha.

"This is something that's outside of our control," Vincent Tepe whose flight to Washington D.C. was canceled. "So there's no real reason to worry and stress over it."

Tepe was the only person at U.S. Airways' check-in counter. He dismissed calling to reschedule his canceled flight to D.C. as an option and decided to do it in person.

"I got it re-ticketed for Wednesday morning. No charge," Tepe said. "The airline is taking on the charge for needed to re-ticket people."

Director of Operations Chris Martin suggested passengers with canceled flights call the airlines they booked with directly to reschedule.

"By phone or you can also do it on their website," Martin said. "Each airline that operates out of Eppley has set up a travel advisory."

But for some people like Matt Lathrop, a lawyer who has business in D.C. Tuesday morning, lose money either way because he cannot get his money back.

"I pay the airline for my ticket so I can fly out, sit there and do nothing," Lathrop said.

Ben Halbur and his father had a connecting flight from Chicago to New York. His original Chicago flight was canceled, but he was able to catch another flight. He doesn't think he will make it to New York on a plane, so he has a back-up plan.

"We might rent a car and drive. It's like 12 or 13 hours, but at least we can try to get home tomorrow."

As for Tepe he is staying in Omaha for two more days and crediting Sandy for what he called an extended vacation.

"Staying with my friends, playing with the kids, have a good time. It's really just been kind of relaxing doing what we feel like doing when we get up in the morning," Tepe said.

Martin said airlines at Eppley Airfield affected by Hurricane Sandy hope to be back operating sometime Tuesday.