AVL flights canceled, travelers are asked to check with the airlines

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — All Saturday flights at Asheville Regional Airport were canceled around 2 p.m., and airport officials said Delta canceled all morning flights on Sunday, Sept. 29, before noon.

Airport officials said the widespread internet and cell phone problems affecting much of the region were also impacting the airport and that this had made it difficult to release updates.

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“We will be posting on Facebook as often as possible and ask for your patience as the service is currently unreliable,” one post read in part.

Travelers have been advised to check with their airline about the status of their flight before arriving at the airport as authorities expect continued disruptions and cancellations for at least the next few days.

“While the airport is open and flights can take off and land, commercial airlines are also struggling with technological issues that complicate operations,” a post read in part. “Most flights have been canceled today and we expect cancellations to continue. Please check with your airline for the most current information about your flight status BEFORE coming to the airport. Due to internet problems in the area, the airport's website is unavailable and regular updates are not currently being carried out.

According to NCDOT, portions of I-40 and I-26 will remain closed for days

Helene brought down trees and power lines across western North Carolina on Friday, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without power. Cell phone service was also down or extremely limited in large parts of the region as of Saturday night.