Operations at Miami International Airport remain in flux after an Amazon cargo plane overshot a runway on Sunday, crashing into two vehicles, killing five people and injuring at least five others. As of Tuesday morning, two of MIA's four runways remained closed, resulting in ongoing cancellations, delays and flight diversions.
"Cancellations continue due to aircraft and flight crews not having arrived," said a notice posted on the airport's website. "Passengers with flights scheduled today should check directly with their airline for flight updates before heading to the airport."
The ripple effects have continued into the week. According to FlightAware, 97 outbound flights were canceled and 187 delayed on Monday, while 84 inbound flights were canceled and 220 delayed. At the time of writing, another 11 outbound flights had been canceled and 44 delayed, while 31 inbound flights had been canceled and 59 delayed. The Federal Aviation Administration reported average departure delays of 2 hours and 11 minutes, per the Miami Herald.
With runway capacity reduced, some arriving flights are being diverted to airports across Florida, including Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Fort Myers and Orlando.
Travelers face limited lodging options
The disruptions also have created challenges for stranded passengers. Travelers have reported that hotels near MIA are fully booked, forcing some to spend the night at the airport while waiting for new flights.
Fortunately, several airlines are offering travel flexibility as operations recover. American Airlines, MIA's largest carrier, is among those waiving certain change fees for affected passengers.
Investigation underway
While travelers continue to navigate delays, investigators are working to determine what caused the crash. The incident initially prompted airport officials to close all runways and issue a full ground stop while Miami-Dade Fire Rescue crews responded to the scene.
The crash also has drawn attention to runway-safety infrastructure at MIA. According to CBS News, the facility does not have engineered-materials arresting systems, which use crushable material at the end of runways to help stop aircraft that overrun the pavement. More than 120 U.S. airports have installed the systems. MIA remains compliant with federal requirements, however, because its runways include a 1,000-foot safety area beyond the runway end.
