The Ómicron variant “beats” the cabin crew; More than 7,000 flights canceled

In the face of the spread OmicronAnd More than 7,000 flights canceled By the airlines over the long Christmas weekend. new alternative They particularly affect aircrews.

Europe is currently the region with the most cases, with 3 million and 22 thousand and 868 in the past seven days, with 57% of the global total, as well as with the largest number of deaths, followed by the United States and Canada (1 million and 421 thousand and 516 new infections).

France crossed the threshold of 100,000 new cases of COVID-19 within 24 hours on Christmas Saturday, an unprecedented number. The government will assess the situation on Monday.

According to the latest report from Flightaware, there were about 2 thousand flights canceled on SundayIncluding more than 570 flights related to the United States, both international and domestic.

At least 570 flights were canceled in the United States on Sunday. (AFP)

On Saturday, the same website had identified about 2,800 flight cancellations, 970 of which were related to the United States.

On Friday, the cancellations were around 2,400 The delay is approaching 11 thousandAccording to Flightaware.

Many companies had to put it Isolation of pilots, flight attendants and other employees who have been exposed to COVID. For this reason, Lufthansa, Delta and United Airlines had to cancel flights.

According to Flightaware, United Airlines canceled 439 flights on Friday and Saturday, about 10% of scheduled flights.

“The peak of Omicron cases across the country this week has had a direct impact on our crews and the people running our operations,” explained the US company, which said it was working to find solutions for affected travelers.

Delta Airlines It also canceled more than 300 flights on Saturday and 170 the day before, again according to Flightaware, which cites Ómicron as the main reason for cancellations, and at times poor weather conditions.

The airline argued that “Delta teams had exhausted all options and resources” before coming to these cancellations.

More than ten flights from Alaska Airlines, whose employees said they “may have been exposed to the virus” and announced their decision to quarantine.

On Saturday, 2,800 canceled flights were recorded, most of them in the United States. (AFP)

Snowfall and heavy rain also affected flights around the world

Weather conditions contributed to the suppression of flights. in the western United States, Snow storms and sharp drops in temperature, which further complicates an already chaotic situation.

But cities like Seattle and Portland were able to enjoy a snowy Christmas.

The US National Weather Service (NWS) noted that “abnormally cold and wet conditions in the Pacific Ocean will lead to prolonged periods of snow and rain.”

Chinese airlines were responsible for most of the cancellations: China Eastern Airlines cut about 540 flights, more than a quarter of the total planned, while Air China canceled 267 flights, also about a quarter of its planned flights.

All of these cancellations are a blow to the long-awaited resumption of travel at the end of the holiday year, after Christmas 2020, which was severely marked by the pandemic.

In the United States, according to Automobile Association estimates, more than 109 million people are expected to leave their immediate area by plane, train or car between December 23 and January 2, a 34% increase from last year.

Fortunately, the cancellations did not affect Santa’s tour, which has been under the control of the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) for decades.

According to the order, NORAD counted 7,623 million 693 thousand 263 gifts distributed exactly this year, after following the path of the sled thanks to a sensor placed on the nose of one of the reindeer.

Until 11:00 GMT this Sunday The epidemic has killed at least 5 million 394 thousand 775 people worldwide Since the WHO office in China reported the outbreak at the end of December 2019 in that country, according to a report prepared by AFP from official sources.

The Chinese city of Xi’an, where 13 million people live, announced on Sunday a “complete” disinfection and tightened restrictions, as the country records its highest infection peak in 21 months.

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