FedEx and UPS warn storm could delay holiday packages, airlines cancel thousands of flights

FedEx and United Parcel Service warned that packages could arrive late this week as a massive winter storm brought high winds, bitter cold and snow to large swaths of the United States ahead of Christmas weekend. Severe weather was already snarling air travel during what is expected to be one of the busiest travel periods since before the pandemic. “FedEx Express experienced substantial disruptions at our Memphis and Indianapolis hubs last night due to severe winter weather that has been moving across the United States,” FedEx said Friday. It said packages set for delivery on Friday and Saturday, which is Christmas Eve, could be delayed across the country. UPS said severe weather “across several regions of the US are impacting the UPS Air and Ground network, including UPS hubs in Louisville, Kentucky and Rockford, Illinois. As a result, some delivery and pickup services in these areas will be affected.” The warnings come during one of the busiest times for package delivery, ahead of Christmas Day on Sunday. The massive winter storm made getting home for the holidays a challenge for thousands of travelers. Airlines cancelled more than 7,000 flights and delayed more than 20,000 from Wednesday through Friday afternoon, according to flight-tracker FlightAware. The period includes some of what airlines expect to be the busiest days of the holiday period. Snow and sleet in the Pacific Northwest also disrupted flights. <br/>