Sandy travel update: Flights resume after superstorm
Update: Thursday, November 1, 10 a.m. HKT
Several key airports in the Northeast United States are edging back closer to normal operations in the wake of devastation wrought by Superstorm Sandy, though it will likely be days before many stranded travelers reach their final destinations.
More on CNN: Northeast still reeling from Sandy impact
Two New York-area airports -- John F. Kennedy and Newark Liberty -- reopened Wednesday with limited service, helping ease the backlog of grounded flights.
As of Wednesday morning, 19,271 flights had been cancelled due to the storm.
New York's LaGuardia Airport remained closed Wednesday because of significant damage after floodwaters covered runways and taxiways, but the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said it would reopen Thursday morning for limited service.
On the ground, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has declared a transportation emergency--authorizing trains, subways and buses to be free of charge Thursday and Friday in an attempt to encourage customers to take mass transit into and out of New York City.
The Washington-area airports of Dulles International and Ronald Reagan National both opened Tuesday.
On CNN: Air travelers dodge much of Sandy's wrath
Other Northeast airports resuming limited flight service include Boston Logan International Airport and Philadelphia International Airport.
Airlines are rebooking flights at no charge to passengers.
Latest air travel details from CNN: Flights resume after hurricane
"In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, flights to and from the U.S. East Coast airports are resuming but there are still some cancellations," said a spokesperson for Lonson's Heathorw Airport. "We continue to advise passengers travelling to New York, Baltimore, Newark, Washington, Boston and Philadelphia to check the status of their flight with their airline before travelling to the airport."
"Air France maintains its four flights to and from New York today (October 31) with possible schedule changes depending on the final decision of the airport authorities," Air France said in a statement.
Cathay Pacific, which canceled 20 flights on Monday and Tuesday, resumed scheduled services to New York on Thursday, Hong Kong time.
Most international carriers will allow affected passengers to change their itineraries without penalty.
