Blizzard Snarls Flights at Omaha's Eppley Airfield

Travelers face delays and cancellations as winter storm hits Nebraska hub

Mar. 16, 2026 at 1:34am

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A blizzard has caused numerous flight delays and cancellations at Omaha's Eppley Airfield, leaving travelers scrambling to adjust their plans and find alternative ways to reach their destinations. The severe winter weather has created challenging conditions both on the ground and in the air, forcing some passengers to rethink their travel arrangements.

Why it matters

Eppley Airfield is a major transportation hub for the Omaha region, handling over 4 million passengers annually. Disruptions to air travel at the airport can have widespread impacts, affecting both local residents and those connecting through the city. The blizzard highlights the vulnerability of air travel to extreme weather events and the importance of airports being prepared to handle such situations.

The details

The blizzard has brought heavy snow, strong winds, and poor visibility to the Omaha area, making it difficult and dangerous for flights to take off and land at Eppley Airfield. Several travelers interviewed at the airport described the conditions outside as "blizzard-like" and expressed concerns about their ability to reach their final destinations. Some passengers, like Lucas Pedro who was headed to Atlanta, said they were trying to be patient and flexible in the face of the delays.

  • The blizzard conditions began impacting Eppley Airfield on the morning of March 16, 2026.

The players

Eppley Airfield

The primary commercial airport serving the Omaha, Nebraska metropolitan area, handling over 4 million passengers annually.

Brand'n Edstrom

A traveler attempting to fly to Idaho who expressed concerns about the weather conditions outside the airport terminal.

Lucas Pedro

A traveler driving in from Grand Island, Nebraska who was headed to Atlanta for a family event.

Barbara Waken

A traveler from Southern California who was at the airport with her daughter Brooklyn, hoping to fly to California.

Brooklyn Waken

The daughter of Barbara Waken who was excited about the prospect of missing school due to the flight delay.

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What they’re saying

“It doesn't look too promising outside.”

— Brand'n Edstrom (3newsnow.com)

“When it comes to snow it's, you know, gotta stay safe and everything, drive carefully out there, you know. It's, it's crazy out there right now.”

— Lucas Pedro (3newsnow.com)

“I'm a little nervous. But yeah, I get to miss more school.”

— Brooklyn Waken (3newsnow.com)

“She gets to miss more school, so she's excited about that. We have never had a snow day being from Southern California, right? You get your first snow day, so you gotta look at the good news.”

— Barbara Waken (3newsnow.com)

What’s next

Airport officials have said they are closely monitoring the weather conditions and working to minimize disruptions to flights. Travelers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates on flight status and to allow extra time when traveling to the airport.

The takeaway

This blizzard highlights the vulnerability of air travel to extreme weather events and the importance of airports being prepared to handle such situations. While the delays and cancellations are frustrating for travelers, the experience also showcases the resilience and adaptability of passengers who are finding ways to make the best of an inconvenient situation.