The massive winter storm that impacted more than 30 States across the U.S. on Sunday created an air travel chaos, even impacting Miami International Airport (MIA), where almost 300 flights were cancelled Sunday.
Across the country, air travel schedules were thrown into chaos, stranding thousands of passengers. According to flight-tracking data by FlightAware, 12,589 total flight cancellations were recorded yesterday, with more than 21,620 flights delayed across the country, driven by heavy snow, ice, and freezing conditions tied to the winter storm that stretched from the south all the way into the northeast.
Major hubs from Atlanta to New York saw hundreds of flights scrapped or delayed, making Sunday one of the worst travel days so far in 2026. Airlines scrambled to rebook passengers and issue travel waivers as travelers were forced to adjust plans amid widespread disruption.
Miami International Airport: storm impacts + security scare
Locally, MIA wasn’t immune to the chaos. Winter storm conditions contributed to flight delays and cancellations at the airport, with more than 400 flight delays and close to 300 flights outright cancelled.
On top of weather-related travel disruption, MIA experienced a security incident Sunday evening when a “suspicious item” was reported near the south terminal, prompting a terminal evacuation and delayed operations as authorities investigated. Social media posts show hundreds of travelers temporarily cleared from parts of the airport while law enforcement responded to the scene.
As flights continue to recover from the winter storm’s impacts, passengers passing through Miami and other airports are urged to check with their airline for flight status before heading to the airport. Travelers should expect ongoing delays through Monday.