DFW International Airport and Dallas Love Field were mostly closed to travel Thursday after the cold blast of frozen precipitation iced runways, but DFW crews were able to reopen one runway by late morning.
It left hundreds of passengers scrambling for new flights and hotel rooms, and some even had to sleep on cots at Love Field hoping to get a ticket out when planes started departing again.
Flights at DFW Airport were completely grounded Thursday morning and the Federal Aviation Administration closed the airport until 11 a.m. because of icy runway conditions. Love Field stayed open, but all three commercial carriers there suspended operations for the entire day.
DFW Airport spokeswoman Cynthia Vega said one runway was reopened just before 11 a.m. “Due to ongoing weather conditions, we anticipate intermediate stoppages throughout the day to treat for snow and ice.”
Both airports’ terminals and businesses were open, although many restaurants were closed because employees were unable to get to work.
Roberto Ayerdis of Miami slept on a cot at Love Field along with about 15 other people after his connecting flight from El Paso to South Florida was canceled Wednesday afternoon.
“It’s been terrible,” he said. “There is no food, no showers and I don’t know when I’ll get home.”
Ayerdis flew to El Paso for a job interview with Customs and Border Protection and was hoping to get out before freezing weather halted flights. Nearby hotels were full by the time his flight was canceled. Fellow stranded passengers tried to order food, but delivery services also weren’t operating.
“All I’ve really had is a bottle of water,” he said, while waiting for his next scheduled flight to leave at 6 a.m. Friday.
WEATHER UPDATE: DFW has reopened our first runway for operations. Due to ongoing weather conditions, we anticipate intermediate stoppages throughout the day to treat for snow and ice. Customers should contact their airlines for all flight updates.