DIA tops the ‘Misery Map’ with hundreds of delays, some flights diverted to COS

DENVER, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Denver International Airport (DIA) is dealing with a significant number of delays and cancellations, just as holiday travel ramps up.

There was a ground stop at DIA until 11 a.m. due to wind on Friday morning, according to the FAA.

A spokesperson with the airport says that flights destined for other airports are being diverted to COS. Additionally, online flight information shows that many flights departing COS were delayed for hours on Friday morning.

"Currently, we have a diversion event here at (COS) with 30 aircraft," the spokesperson said.

A spokesperson sent the following update later in the afternoon:

"This morning our friends at DIA experienced extremely high winds, but here at the Colorado Springs Airport we were not affected by that weather system. Operations for our scheduled flights continued as normal today, even with an in-person holiday greeting from Mayor Yemi, Santa and Mrs. Clause. Worth noting that today the Colorado Springs Airport recorded our highest number of diversion events for the year. (which was a total number of 30 diverted flights) while our scheduled flights continued to operate as 'business as usual.'"

-Amanda Rantis, Public Communication Specialist II, Colorado Springs Airport

Out at DIA, there have been 365 delays and 12 cancellations as of publication Friday morning, according to Flight Aware. The numbers have landed DIA on the very top of Flight Aware's Misery Map.

To the west, a rare "PDS" (Particularly Dangerous Situation) Red Flag Warning was issued by the National Weather Service in parts of Boulder and Jefferson Counties. Potentially destructive winds are expected to continue throughout the state today.

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