Two airports in the New York area are to partially reopen today as the US east coast starts to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Sandy.
John F Kennedy International and Newark Liberty International will reopen with a limited service, while LaGuardia Airport – the other key hub for New York City – will remain closed.
The areas affected by Hurricane Sandy, which was downgraded to a superstorm before it hit land, are starting to get back on track following mass evacuations and billions of pounds worth of damage.
The storm is thought to have killed 40 people in the United States and left millions without power; the total cost of the damage is estimated to run between £6 billion and £12 billion.
Despite the reopening of international airports, widespread travel disruption is still expected as services get back to normal.
More than 1,000 flights have been cancelled today alone, bringing the total number of cancelled flights – both domestic and international – to more than 17,000.
Although some services are resuming, airlines are urging passengers to check their flights before leaving for the airport.
“On Wednesday 31 October we have cancelled some of our flights to and from New York, JFK and Newark. Flights to other East Coast US airports should be operating normally. Please only come to the airport if you are confirmed on a flight,” British Airways said in a statement.
“Public transport links to East Coast US airports continue to be disrupted, please check your flight and local travel plans before leaving for the airport.”
As well as airports, some government buildings and schools along the east coast are beginning to reopen, as is the New York Stock Exchange.
Many homes are still without electricity, and there is no word yet on when exactly power will be restored.
“We have not seen damage like this in a generation,” said Andrew Cuomo, the Governor for New York State.
