Sept 26 (Reuters) - Airlines in the United States have canceled or delayed thousands of flights on Thursday, as a strengthening hurricane Helene is expected to make a landfall in Florida's Big Bend this evening.

A total of 1,218 flights were canceled and 4,146 delayed as of 5:59 P.M. ET, according to flight tracking website FlightAware.

Southwest Airlines (LUV.N) , opens new tab has canceled 201 flights, the most among the carriers, closely followed by American Airlines (AAL.O) , opens new tab and Delta Air Lines (DAL.N) , opens new tab.

Officials have issued dire warnings and urged residents in coastal areas along the hurricane's path to evacuate ahead of catastrophic winds and a potentially deadly storm surge.

Airports across impacted regions such as Tampa International , opens new tab, Orlando International , opens new tab and Fort Lauderdale International , opens new tab have also put out posts on X, warning travelers of potential delays or cancellations.

American Airlines has issued a travel advisory for airports situated around Southeast U.S. and the Gulf of Mexico. JetBlue (JBLU.O) , opens new tab and Southwest Airlines, too, have issued similar advisories.

Sign up here.

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-airlines-cancel-over-1000-flights-due-hurricane-helene-2024-09-26/