Phoenix was hit with a large dust storm on Monday afternoon, causing massive wind gusts and damage throughout the city. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport was no exception, which saw plenty of delays and diversions due to this weather event. Nearby thunderstorms also impacted airline operations.
The FAA had a ground stop in effect during this time.
As seen in the photo above, the ominous dust cloud loomed over the airport, eventually making its way and swallowing aircraft and terminal buildings.
According to FlightAware, about a quarter of flights in and out of the airport were delayed, with most of them coming in the afternoon hours during the thunder and dust storms.
Flights were seen diverting to other nearby airports such as Las Vegas and Tucson during this weather event.
British Airways flight BA289, for example, was circling around north of Phoenix during the storms before making the decision to divert to Las Vegas.
After about two and a half hours on the ground, the flight took off for Phoenix again and arrived.
This was the case for many other aircraft in the air at the same time.
Ironically, Phoenix was the site of diversions for some flights to Los Angeles just before the dust storm. The Los Angeles area also saw a lot of thunderstorm activity on Monday afternoon, forcing several flights to divert, including Lufthansa flight LH452 in the above photo.
According to Flightradar24, flight LH452 narrowly escaped the incoming dust storm as it completed its additional leg to Los Angeles. In short, it was a heck of a day for flights in and out of the southwestern part of the country.
Featured image via X.
