Santo Domingo witnessed significant aviation disruptions as approximately 25 flights to and from the Dominican Republic were canceled on Sunday, February 22nd, following the onslaught of winter storm Ernesto. The powerful weather system unleashed heavy snowfall across multiple northeastern U.S. states, creating travel chaos for hundreds of passengers.
The National Weather Service (NWS) had escalated forecasts for the intensifying storm, which particularly targeted the Mid-Atlantic and Appalachian regions. Major metropolitan areas including Philadelphia, Delaware, Boston, and New York faced anticipated snow accumulations ranging from 23 to 45 centimeters. Meteorological authorities cautioned that the storm would gain strength throughout Sunday, delivering persistent heavy snow accompanied by vigorous winds, with weather alerts extending through Monday.
Aeropuertos Dominicanos Siglo XXI (Aerodom) confirmed that the cancellations primarily impacted JetBlue and Delta Air Lines operations. The disrupted flights involved critical aviation hubs such as John F. Kennedy International Airport, Logan International Airport, and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Initial reports indicated eight Sunday cancellations, with an additional sixteen JetBlue flights suspended for Monday, February 23rd, specifically affecting air routes connecting the Dominican Republic with New York and Boston.
New York City officials, under the leadership of Mayor Zohran Mamdani, urgently advised residents to minimize non-essential travel amid forecasts predicting snowfall rates reaching five centimeters per hour. The city experienced its first blizzard warning in nine years, according to Listín Diario. Transportation authorities continued to recommend that travelers vigilantly monitor airline communications as winter conditions persisted throughout the region.