Airlines cancel 3,000 flights as Hurricane Sandy nears landfall

U.S. airlines canceled more than 3,000 flights as a major storm bears down on the East Coast.

Airlines have grounded 953 flights scheduled for Sunday and nearly 2,200 flights for Monday so far because of Hurricane Sandy, according to FlightStats Inc., a flight-tracking firm.

Some of the airports most affected by cancellations were New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International, Washington Dulles International and LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy airports in New York.

PHOTOS: Hurricane Sandy, en route to “Frankenstorm�

Most airlines said they were waiving fees so travelers could reschedule flights at no cost. Those restrictions were being lifted primarily for travel booked from Sunday through Wednesday.

United Airlines said it expected operations to be affected at 29 airports, from Charleston, S.C., to Portland, Maine.

Last year, Hurricane Irene caused about 14,000 flights to be cancelled during a four-day period in August.

ALSO:

New Jersey braces for brunt of Hurricane Sandy

Mid-Atlantic battens down as storm approaches

Airlines shrink seats, offer extra legroom for a fee