DFW International Airport Weather and Customer Service Statement in anticipation of Hurricane Ike

DFW International Airport, Texas (September 12, 2008 - 4:00 PM) DFW International Airport is preparing for potential disruptions in flight schedules Saturday as a result of the expected impact of Hurricane Ike. 

The Airport will remain open, but flight delays and cancellations may occur as Ike's strong wind and rain head to North Texas. 

The National Weather Service predicts the hurricane will make landfall near Galveston, about 290 miles south of DFW, late tonight or early Saturday morning. Ike is expected to be a Category 3 hurricane at landfall on the Texas coast, but should weaken to a tropical storm by the time it reaches the DFW area. 

As a result of Ike, the DFW area is expected to see tropical storm-force winds starting Saturday morning between 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM and lasting into the afternoon. This could include sustained winds of 30 mph to 40 mph, with gusts to 50 mph for several hours on Saturday, as well as 2 to 4 inches of rainfall. 

The FAA, the airlines and DFW will monitor flight conditions closely, with safety remaining the top priority as decisions on flight schedules are made. The remains of Ike may also affect flights across the United States this weekend, so travelers are advised to check with their airlines on the latest status of a flight. 

Should flight cancellations arise, the Airport’s response teams will be ready to step in to assist passengers. Passengers are urged to go to www.dfwairport.com and click on Flight Tracker to monitor all arrivals and departures from DFW. 

Military personnel returning to duty from R&R leave are asked to contact their rear detachment and the Personnel Assistance Point listed on their Port Call sheet should they encounter any flight delays during their journey back to the Middle East. 

The Airport will update this advisory as warranted to keep the public informed on flight operations this weekend.