Stranded by snow: KCI deals with mass cancellations, delays

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Dozens of flights in and out of Kansas City International Airport were canceled on Thursday as the area deals with its first snowfall of 2012.

The cancelations have left hundreds of passengers stranded in increasingly-crowded terminals.

Jill Hays was one of the many holiday travelers stuck at KCI Thursday morning. Her flight wasn’t canceled, but it was one of the dozens of others that was delayed several hours.

“It does put a crimp in my plans,” Hays said. “I don’t get in until 10:30 and then I have to drive to Sarasota, so it’s going to be a long day.”

Many travelers told 41 Action News they checked the airport’s flight status website at www.flykci.com before they headed there, and everything looked good, but by the time they got there, their flights had been delayed or canceled.

"Wanted a white Christmas but not cancelation for the flights," said passenger Caral Lopez.

Earlier Thursday, 41 Action News Amanda said in a live interview during 41 Action News Today’s extended winter weather coverage she had been stuck for hours. She said even a police car got stuck at the airport.

She said it was crowded, but tempers hadn’t gotten out of control.

“So far they’re doing okay,” she said, “but if it hits lunchtime, I have a feeling it could get kind of cranky in here.”

Many passengers 41 Action News spoke with said their flights are canceled until Sunday.

Many passengers had spent all day trying to figure out their options. Some passengers tried jumping from one airline to another. Some are fortunate that they live in the area and they can just go home until it's time to fly out this weekend.