Lightning struck a runway at Houston’s Hobby Airport on Monday afternoon, resulting in the closure of runway 13R. The Houston Airport System promptly shut down the runway to ensure the safety of passengers and crews. The strike occurred at an intersection of the runway, which was deemed the worst spot for a lightning hit by Jim Szczesniak, the director of the Houston Airport System.
Efforts are underway to assess the damage and make the necessary repairs to reopen runway 13R as quickly and safely as possible. Szczesniak stated in an interview that he expects the repairs to be completed by the evening, allowing normal operations to resume by morning.
In the aftermath of the lightning strike, flight traffic at Hobby Airport was severely affected. The director expressed uncertainty about flight operations in the evening, stating that it might take some time before flights can resume. The ultimate decision lies with the airlines regarding recovery and whether they choose to cancel or delay flights.
The inclement weather also led to ground stops at both Hobby and Bush airports. These stops were extended until 7 p.m. at Hobby and at least 5:30 p.m. at Bush.
Passengers experienced significant delays and cancellations due to the weather conditions and the closure of runway 13R. Several departures scheduled for 4:55 p.m. and later were pushed back by over three hours, while a few flights were canceled altogether.
It is important for travelers to stay updated on the situation. For further information, ABC13 recommends following Shannon Ryan on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
In conclusion, the lightning strike at Houston’s Hobby Airport caused the closure of runway 13R, leading to delays and cancellations for passengers. The Houston Airport System is working diligently to repair the damage and reopen the runway as quickly and safely as possible. Travelers are advised to stay informed about flight status updates through official channels and social media platforms.
