SALT LAKE CITY — Southwest Airlines canceled dozens of flights both departing from and arriving at the Salt Lake City International Airport this weekend.
Of the 34 departures between 1:45 p.m. Saturday and 5:10 p.m. Sunday, 19 were canceled:
| Scheduled Time | Departing To | Flight # |
| Sat. 3:35:00 PM | Chicago-Midway | WN3045 |
| Sat. 4:00:00 PM | Phoenix | WN4139 |
| Sat. 5:35:00 PM | Burbank | WN3400 |
| Sat. 6:00:00 PM | Las Vegas | WN2503 |
| Sat. 6:40:00 PM | Denver | WN3334 |
| Sat. 7:00:00 PM | San Diego | WN1262 |
| Sun. 6:10:00 AM | Las Vegas | WN4700 |
| Sun. 7:00:00 AM | Oakland | WN4702 |
| Sun. 8:45:00 AM | Las Vegas | WN1427 |
| Sun. 9:50:00 AM | Phoenix | WN4457 |
| Sun. 10:00:00 AM | Houston-Hobby | WN4730 |
| Sun. 11:00:00 AM | San Jose, CA | WN3648 |
| Sun. 11:50:00 AM | Las Vegas | WN3746 |
| Sun. 12:55:00 PM | Phoenix | WN4150 |
| Sun. 2:00:00 PM | Sacramento | WN4526 |
| Sun. 2:05:00 PM | Baltimore | WN3909 |
| Sun. 4:20:00 PM | Los Angeles | WN4990 |
| Sun. 5:10:00 PM | Oakland | WN651 |
Between 3 p.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday, 17 of 30 arriving flights were canceled:
| Scheduled Time | Arriving From | Flight # |
| Sat. 3:10:00 PM | Las Vegas | WN4096 |
| Sat. 5:00:00 PM | Orange County | WN4681 |
| Sat. 6:05:00 PM | Phoenix | WN3334 |
| Sat. 6:25:00 PM | Denver | WN1262 |
| Sat. 9:35:00 PM | Oakland | WN2836 |
| Sat. 9:50:00 PM | Orlando | WN3008 |
| Sat. 11:10:00 PM | Las Vegas | WN3421 |
| Sun. 8:55:00 AM | Phoenix | WN4464 |
| Sun. 9:10:00 AM | Las Vegas | WN4730 |
| Sun. 11:20:00 AM | Las Vegas | WN1485 |
| Sun. 11:50:00 AM | Houston-Hobby | WN4832 |
| Sun. 12:25:00 PM | Oakland | WN4150 |
| Sun. 1:05:00 PM | Phoenix | WN3663 |
| Sun. 1:20:00 PM | Denver | WN3909 |
| Sun. 3:00:00 PM | Sacramento | WN3932 |
| Sun. 3:35:00 PM | Denver | WN4990 |
| Sun. 4:35:00 PM | Austin | WN651 |
The departures and arrivals before these time ranges were successful, and those scheduled after these times are "on time" as of this article's publishing. The latest updates can be found on the airport's website.
The issue was not unique to Utah, however. The airline grounded more than 800 flights nationwide on Saturday, and thousands more on Sunday.
In a Facebook post, the company wrote that the cancellations were due to weather and air traffic control issues, adding that they are working to "recover" their operations.
However, according to the SLC airport's website, no other airlines had canceled flights either Saturday or Sunday.
"No FAA air traffic staffing shortages have been reported since Friday," the Federal Aviation Administration tweeted. "Flight delays and cancellations occurred for a few hours Friday afternoon due to widespread severe weather, military training, and limited staffing in one area of the Jacksonville Air Route Traffic Control Center. Some airlines continue to experience scheduling challenges due to aircraft and crews being out of place."
Air traffic control real-time status is always available for the public.
Look any time. Go to the source and check it out yourself: https://t.co/2JqKd70wIr
— The FAA ✈️ (@FAANews) October 11, 2021
Social media speculation surrounding the disruption centered on possible labor action taken by Southwest employees due to the recent vaccine mandate imposed by the airline. However, the union representing Southwest pilots told The Denver Post that its members were not participating in any strike.
Those calling Southwest's customer service should expect longer wait times than usual. The company suggests those whose flights were canceled to re-book with the online self-service options.
