Augusta, GA

Augusta flight cancellations mount as ice storm approaches

Published

2 months ago

January 24, 2026

Augusta flight cancellations mount as ice storm approaches

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Airlines are delaying and canceling flights as a massive ice storm closes in on Georgia this weekend.

The airline snags are affecting not only Augusta Regional Airport but also Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world’s busiest, and one that most local fliers pass through.

In Augusta

While the cancellations at Augusta Regional Airport weren’t in the hundreds like Atlanta, they’re substantial.

CANCELED ARRIVALS

American Flight 3462 from Dallas-Fort Worth (scheduled for 3:57 p.m. Saturday)
American Flight 5896 from Charlotte (scheduled for 6:44 p.m. Saturday)
Delta Flight 5477 from Atlanta (scheduled for 11:38 p.m. Saturday)
American Flight 5848 from Charlotte (scheduled for 11:48 p.m. Saturday)

CANCELED DEPARTURES

Delta Flight 5504 to Atlanta (scheduled for 5:12 p.m. Saturday)
American Flight 5898 to Charlotte (scheduled for 7:09 p.m. Saturday)
Delta Flight 5514 to Atlanta (scheduled for 5:45 a.m. Sunday)
American Flight 5042 to Washington, D.C. (scheduled for 6 a.m. Sunday)
Delta Flight 365 to Atlanta (scheduled for 6:50 a.m. Sunday)
American Flight 3668 to Dallas-Fort Worth (scheduled for 7:08 a.m. Sunday)
American Flight 5847 to Charlotte (scheduled for 8:08 a.m. Sunday)

In Atlanta

The world’s busiest airport has been even busier behind the scenes as crews prepare for the winter weather heading into Georgia on Saturday night.

The storm has already affected flights nationwide. According to FlightAware, more than 4,200 flights have been cancelled nationwide on Saturday. On Sunday, that number hits 9,000 — including more than 1,000 into and out of the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport brined the runways as an ice storm approached. (WANF)

Some passengers have already made arrangements to switch their flights to get ahead of the storm.

Mark Nevle said his daughter and about 30 other students from Blessed Kennedy Catholic High School are on their way back from March for Life in Washington, D.C.

“They were originally supposed to come back tomorrow, but the school had the foresight and good planning to change all the flights and get them back here today,” he said. “We were laughing, we were looking at the weather map, and you can see their flight coming in right next to the big storm that’s moving in.”

He said he’s glad to see their school being proactive, especially after the storm Atlanta saw back in 2014.

“I think when we were all here for ‘Snow-Palooza’ X number of years ago, I think everybody is a little more proactive now in what they do,” he said. “You put everything in God’s hands that everything is gonna work out fine. Get these kids home safe and sound.”

Delta offers flexibility

Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines, Augusta’s primary carrier, said winter storm waivers remain in effect through Monday. These provide flexibility for customers to adjust their travel plans at no additional cost in the Delta app or at Delta.com.

Delta works to give customers as much notice as possible about changes to their flights and is taking proactive actions to minimize disruption and aid in recovery efforts:

Enacting flight cancelations well in advance of scheduled departures to allow customers more time and flexibility while away from airports.
Adjusting staffing levels with additional reserve pilots and flight attendants, as well as relocating experts from cold weather hubs to support deicing and baggage teams at several Southern airports.
Placing aircraft out of frozen precipitation, where possible, to aid in faster recovery efforts. Once conditions improve, aircraft will be repositioned to resume scheduled flying.

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Customers have options if their flight is significantly delayed or canceled.

Delta automatically rebooks customers to the next best itinerary, and customers can make further changes via the Delta app and Delta.com.

Additional guidance includes:

Customers who experience a cancellation and are not automatically rebooked should promptly contact Delta either at the airport or by reaching out to our Reservations team by phone or the Message Us option on the app, to identify alternative flight options.
Customers traveling on a U.S. domestic itinerary who experience a flight delay of three hours or more and choose not to fly — either on the original delayed flight or on a rebooked itinerary — are entitled to receive a full refund for the unflown portion of their ticket (including any ancillary fees paid or checked baggage charges). The same refund eligibility applies if a customer experiences a flight delay of six hours or more on an international itinerary and chooses not to fly.
If a flight is canceled and the customer chooses not to fly on their rebooked itinerary, Delta will initiate a full, automatic refund back to the original form of payment of the unflown portion of the ticket, following a 24-hour waiting period.
Per Department of Transportation automatic refund requirements, Delta will initiate an automatic ticket refund of the unflown portion of the ticket if we are unable to rebook the trip and have not heard from the customer to arrange an alternative flight.

More information can be found on the refund and reimbursement section of Delta.com .

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Augusta, GA

Trump to sign emergency order to pay TSA agents as Augusta airport preps for golf week

Published

7 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Trump to sign emergency order to pay TSA agents as Augusta airport preps for golf week

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – President Donald Trump said he will sign an emergency declaration to pay TSA agents, as nearly 500 have quit since the shutdown began.

More than 40 percent of Atlanta’s TSA agents did not show up on Wednesday, leading to long lines at Atlanta’s airport and across the country. It is unclear when President Trump will sign the emergency order. TSA workers will miss their second paycheck Friday.

In a statement on Truth Social, President Trump said, “I am going to sign an Order instructing the Secretary of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin, to immediately pay our TSA Agents in order to address this Emergency Situation.”

The president thanked TSA agents. The Department of Homeland Security as a whole will not be funded at this time. The Coast Guard and FEMA are among the agencies still impacted.

If senators do not reach a deal to fund the department on Friday, they are set for a two-week recess.

Augusta airport prepares for tournament week

TSA workers are a concern as tournament week approaches in Augusta. Security and safety are also concerns after a plane collided with a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport.

Augusta Regional Airport and its fire department are working to keep visitors safe as they fly in for tournament week.

William Kovalchuk, a sergeant with the Augusta Airport Fire Department, operates an airport-specific fire truck.

“There’s a ton of traffic and a ton of congestion. This whole ramp area where I showed you guys a little bit ago, it’ll be completely filled with aircraft,” Kovalchuk said.

Tournament week sees the regional airport become a global hub, with flights in from 13 extra cities and more than 200 private planes parked on the tarmac.

Lauren Smith, deputy director of Augusta Regional Airport, said the airport works closely with the FAA during tournament week.

“During that time, we actually work very closely with the FAA to bring in additional controllers,” Smith said.

Extra controllers keep the airspace and runway safe. Enhanced safety measures are in place inside the terminal as well.

“Overall, everyone brings in more staff. The tenants, the rental car agencies, the airlines, the airport itself,” Smith said.

The fire department stages a second station across the airport to cover every flight.

“The manning will be stepped up quite a bit,” Kovalchuk said. “We don’t want to see anything happen, but we’re prepared for it.”

The airport said the average wait time is still less than an hour to get through security during tournament week.

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Augusta, GA

Jefferson County library director named Georgia Library Director of the Year

Published

19 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

Jefferson County library director named Georgia Library Director of the Year

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Georgia Library Director of the Year was honored at a ceremony in Jefferson County.

Christina Shepherd received the award and a county proclamation. Jefferson County officials also honored the library board during the ceremony.

“I’m very thankful. I think it’s great for Jefferson County to have this award brought here and bringing light to us,” Shepherd said. “I don’t think I do anything extraordinary that any librarian wouldn’t do, but I just keep doing it. I appreciate it. I’m thankful.”

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Augusta, GA

CSRA Habitat for Humanity gets $1.85M to build affordable housing in Augusta

Published

1 day ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

CSRA Habitat for Humanity gets .85M to build affordable housing in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta/CSRA Habitat for Humanity has been awarded $1.85 million to build new affordable homes in Augusta’s historic Turpin Hill neighborhood.

The federal funding was secured with the support of Georgia’s U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock.

The funding will expand housing opportunities for working families and revitalize one of Augusta’s oldest communities.

“Turpin Hill is one of Augusta’s oldest and most storied neighborhoods, a community built by generations of hardworking families whose roots run deep in this city,” said Bernadette Kelliher, President and CEO of Augusta/CSRA Habitat for Humanity.

“These new homes will reflect the strength of the neighborhood’s past while creating a foundation for families to build their futures. This is about restoration, dignity, and ensuring that the next generation can write their own chapter in this historic community.”

This federal investment strengthens ongoing efforts to expand affordable housing opportunities across Augusta.

“Georgia families urgently need more affordable housing. That’s why Senator Reverend Warnock and I brought Republicans and Democrats together to strengthen the Augusta/CSRA Habitat for Humanity’s efforts to build new housing units for families across Augusta and the CSRA,” said Ossoff.

Senator Raphael Warnock added, “This investment demonstrates what is possible when Congress works together to support communities and families in need. We are in a housing crisis. America is not building enough housing and costs are continuing to soar.”

Since its founding in 1986, Augusta/CSRA Habitat for Humanity has partnered with families, volunteers and community supporters to build and preserve homes throughout the Central Savannah River Area.

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