Equipment issue prompts Delta to cancel flights

Delta Airlines canceled 10 flights into and out of Southwest Florida International Airport today due to weather and instrumentation issues.

The airline grounded the flights flying into and out of Atlanta and Cincinnati airports because the planes did not have the proper navigational systems to land in bad weather.

The lack of equipment became a problem because the Federal Aviation Administration shut down the airport's ground-based navigational device on June 5 to perform routine maintenance.

The system helps planes determine another route when they have to abort a landing.

"Weather has everything to do with it," said Anthony Black, spokesman for Delta. "On a day when you don't have visuals, you need to have the ability to correct coordinates and make an approach in case you have to abort a landing. It comes down to this is a safety issue for passengers."

Other airlines and flights were not affected because they have backup equipment on board, Black said.

Delta responded by replacing the aircraft with planes that have the backup equipment, he said.

The airline rebooked passengers whose flights were canceled.

"Everybody impacted will be accommodated on another flight," Black said. "Going forward from here, regardless of what happens with this airport system, we will have adequate aircraft to operate a normal schedule."

Delta plans to restore service at Southwest Florida International Airport at 3:15 p.m. today, he said.

Travelers with reservations on Delta should confirm their flights with the airline by calling (800) 221-1212.