Over 2,600 flights were canceled in the U.S. on New Year's Day due to COVID-19 and harsh weather. That is the highest daily number of flight cancellation in over a week. According to tracking website Flight Aware, the number accounts for more than half of the flights grounded worldwide. The disruptions have persisted throughout the holiday season.

The rapid spread of the Omicron variant is causing staffing shortages in the industry. On Saturday, snow forecasts in some parts of the country added to the chaos.