As COVID-19 variant continues to spread worldwide, it has caused flights disruptions leading to cancellation of almost 5000 fights across most of Europe, the United States and other parts of the world.
According to a BBC report, no fewer than 4,700 flights were cancelled between Friday and Saturday.
The report stated that out of the number of cancelled flights, 800 were to or from the US.
BBC said, “In Europe, travel restrictions are among measures aimed at reducing cases, largely driven by the Omicron variant.
“Despite early findings that Omicron is milder than other variants, scientists are concerned by the sheer number of infections being recorded.
“Many of the flight cancellations are the result of airline crews testing positive, or being forced to self-isolate to stem the spread.”
BBC quoted Flighware as saying that further delays and disruptions were expected with hundreds more flights likely to be cancelled on Sunday.
also quoted an associate professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan, Dr Hallie Prescott, who spoke to New York Times saying: “When we have millions and millions and millions of people, all sick, all together at one time, it doesn’t take a large percentage of those people to topple over the hospitals.”
It added that in the UK where record breaking case numbers were confirmed on Friday, volunteers were preparing for a Christmas Day booster jabs push to reduce the impact of Omicron.
“Across Europe, governments are bringing in their own measures to combat the increase,” the report added.
