Bad weather diverts Utah Delta, SkyWest flights to Provo

While ice and snow crippled Salt Lake City International Airport on Thursday, Provo's airport had one of its busiest days.

Provo Airport Manager Steve Gleason said his airport received nine total diversions from Salt Lake City International Airport Thursday morning.

"It's been a little busy, with our own flights going out," he said. "Buses are coming to pick up passengers that were uploaded."

Gleason said that Provo has taken diversions regularly if Salt Lake International is closed. In most cases, passengers stay on the airplane, which is flown back to Salt Lake City. He said Thursday marked the most people the Utah County facility had ever off-loaded before.

Weather in Provo was sunny until about noon, but it was becoming increasingly chillier and windier as the afternoon progressed.

Salt Lake City International Airport Operations Supervisor Jeremy McCulley said only one Delta flight had been diverted to Provo. He said SkyWest likely had some diversions.

As of 1 p.m., 101 departures out of the Salt Lake airport were canceled as were 98 arrivals. Southwest was hit particularly hard with the most cancellations.

McCulley said the storm started with ice and then turned into heavy, slushy snow on top of runways, making traction for aircraft difficult. He said because the west runway was constructed out of concrete rather than asphalt, it would take longer to get open. Crews were working on the ramp area and had two runways open early Thursday afternoon.

wharton@sltrib.com

Twitter: @tribtomwharton