Hundreds Diverted to Abilene After Storms Close DFW Airport
By: Jessica Reyes
Updated: April 3, 2012
Seven flights bound for Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport were diverted to Abilene as tornadoes ripped through the Metroplex Tuesday afternoon.
"We were in the air, we were in a holding pattern over Dallas," said Morgan Farley, who was traveling from Santa Fe to Dallas when her flight was diverted to Abilene Regional Airport.
Farley was one of about 600 people traveling to DFW who ended up in Abilene.
"We were in the air and we got diverted here, we were the first plane into Abilene," said passenger Tony Hodge.
Airport staff provided not only pizza, but also water and diapers for those with children.
"I've flown about six million miles, and this has been a very pleasant experience for a delay." Hodge said.
"I mean, nobody wants to go into a tornado-damaged area. Tornadoes are scary, so I guess people would rather be under the sunshine in Abilene," said Kathy Byers, who was flying from Denver to Shreveport via Dallas.
Flights diverted to Abilene started heading back to Dallas-Fort Worth around 6:00 p.m. Tuesday. DFW reopened late Tuesday afternoon, but hundreds of flights scheduled for Tuesday night were canceled.
"We were in the air, we were in a holding pattern over Dallas," said Morgan Farley, who was traveling from Santa Fe to Dallas when her flight was diverted to Abilene Regional Airport.
Farley was one of about 600 people traveling to DFW who ended up in Abilene.
"We were in the air and we got diverted here, we were the first plane into Abilene," said passenger Tony Hodge.
Airport staff provided not only pizza, but also water and diapers for those with children.
"I've flown about six million miles, and this has been a very pleasant experience for a delay." Hodge said.
"I mean, nobody wants to go into a tornado-damaged area. Tornadoes are scary, so I guess people would rather be under the sunshine in Abilene," said Kathy Byers, who was flying from Denver to Shreveport via Dallas.
Flights diverted to Abilene started heading back to Dallas-Fort Worth around 6:00 p.m. Tuesday. DFW reopened late Tuesday afternoon, but hundreds of flights scheduled for Tuesday night were canceled.
