NEW YORK (Azat TV) – Singapore Airlines (SIA) has cancelled a total of 10 flights to and from New York’s John F. Kennedy (JFK) and Newark Liberty (EWR) airports for January 25 and 26, 2026. The significant disruptions stem from Winter Storm Fern, a massive weather system sweeping across the continental United States, bringing snow, freezing rain, and life-threatening cold that has paralyzed air travel and prompted warnings of widespread power outages.
Widespread Cancellations and Disruptions
The affected Singapore Airlines flights include services from Singapore (SIN) to Newark (SQ22) and JFK (SQ24), as well as return flights (SQ21, SQ23). Additionally, flights connecting Frankfurt (FRA) to New York (JFK) (SQ26) and their return legs (SQ25) have also been cancelled. The airline confirmed it is directly contacting all affected passengers to inform them of the cancellations and apologized for the inconvenience caused, stating that the situation remains fluid and further flights could be impacted.
The cancellations by Singapore Airlines are part of a broader disruption across the U.S. air travel network. According to flight tracker FlightAware, over 3,200 flights within, into, or out of the United States were cancelled on January 24 alone, with more than 1,100 others delayed. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that up to 240 million Americans could be affected by the storm’s impact on infrastructure and daily life.
Winter Storm Fern’s Broad Impact
Winter Storm Fern has unleashed severe weather conditions across a vast swath of the United States, from New Mexico to the eastern seaboard. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued stark warnings of ‘catastrophic’ ice accumulations from freezing rain, urging people to ‘take this storm seriously’ and avoid roads for up to 72 hours in affected regions. New York City alone could see up to 30cm of snow over the weekend, while states in the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest are bracing for wind chill lows potentially dipping below minus 46 degrees Celsius, capable of causing frostbite within minutes.
At least 16 states and the U.S. capital, Washington, have declared states of emergency in anticipation of the storm’s full force. Officials are particularly concerned about the potential for ‘long-duration power outages’ due to heavy ice accumulation on power lines and extensive tree damage. Houston Mayor John Whitmire urged residents to ‘hunker down’ for 72 hours, while New York Governor Kathy Hochul advised residents to stay indoors, emphasizing that ‘five or six minutes outside could literally be dangerous for your health.’
Airline Response and Passenger Guidance
In response to the unprecedented weather, airlines, including Singapore Airlines, are prioritizing safety and operational efficiency. Carriers are constantly adjusting flight paths and airport operations, coordinating closely with air traffic control to manage congestion resulting from rerouted flights and delays. Procedures for snow clearance, de-icing, and limited runway availability are causing slower airport operations, prompting airlines to carefully manage crew rest requirements and airport staffing to prevent further disruptions.
Singapore Airlines has committed to assisting affected passengers by reaccommodating them on alternative flights or offering full refunds for unused ticket portions. The airline advises all customers to regularly check its Flight Status page on its website for the latest updates. Travelers, especially those connecting from Europe via Frankfurt, are encouraged to monitor airline advisories and allow extra time for airport processing, as the situation is expected to evolve over the coming days.
Underlying Weather Dynamics
The brutal storm system is attributed to a stretched polar vortex, an Arctic region of cold, low-pressure air. Normally, this system forms a compact, circular pattern, but when it morphs into a more oval shape, it can send intensely cold air spilling across North America. Scientists continue to debate the link between the increasing frequency of such polar vortex disruptions and climate change, acknowledging that natural variability also plays a role in these extreme weather events.
The widespread cancellations, including those by Singapore Airlines, underscore the critical vulnerability of global air travel networks to severe and unpredictable weather phenomena, forcing airlines to implement robust risk management strategies and travelers to remain vigilant during periods of extreme atmospheric conditions.