Weather Causes Spirit Airlines Cancellations, Not Pilot Strike, Airline Says

This news might not make you feel better if you're stranded at an airport awaiting a Spirit Airlines flight, but the airline has confirmed that a recent rash of flight delays and cancellations are due to weather and not a pilot strike as had been rumored. Consumerist was able to reach a Spirit Airlines spokesperson, who said that recent delays are "100% due to weather" and that around 85 percent of the "Spirit network" is running smoothly.

The main culprit seems to be Tropical Storm Bill, which has dumped a ton of rain on Houston, as well as other parts of Texas and Missouri over the past two days. On top of that issue, heavy thunderstorms in Chicago delayed other Spirit flights. The initial delays caused a domino effect: The weather problems meant that some Spirit pilots and flight attendants weren't able to get to the right airports to start their shifts, which led to even more cancellations.

Some passengers were stranded at Cleveland Hopkins Airport for two days, WKYC Cleveland reported.

A pilot strike was rumored because some passengers in Cleveland were reportedly told the delays were over labor-related action. In fact, Spirit Airlines has a history of canceled flights due to labor issues. In 2010, Spirit Airlines grounded flights when pilots walked out seeking compensation and benefits similar to other Airbus operators. Flights resumed after six days.

Spirit Airlines has more information about cancellations on its website. According to a press release, anyone flying to, from or through Houston or Dallas on Spirit can make free changes to their reservations through June 23.