Tourists stranded as nearly 600 flights canceled due to thunderstorms

Thousands of passengers including tourists were left stranded in US airports as nearly 600 flights were canceled and thousands delayed due to heavy thunderstorm. Airports in the Northeast were the most affected ones as hundreds of flights were either delayed or canceled.

The New York City-area airports were also affected by thunderstorms. More than two hours of delay were reported at JFK while the Newark Liberty and New York LaGuardia reported 90 minutes of flight delay, according to the FAA.

The rampant cancelation of flights forced tourists to change their schedule. LaGuardia airport reported as many as 209 flight cancelations. Other airports that recorded flight cancelations include Newark Liberty (90 as of 5 p.m. ET), Boston (53), Chicago O’Hare (50), Philadelphia (48), Detroit (39), Nantucket, Mass. (38), and New York JFK (36). Flights that closed their operations due to thunderstorm include American (Chicago O’Hare and New York JFK), Delta (Detroit, New York LaGuardia and New York JFK), JetBlue (Boston and New York JFK), United (Chicago O’Hare and Newark Liberty) and US Airways (Philadelphia).

Travelers are advised to check with airport officials before booking tickets.