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Southwest returns to normal operations after hectic flight disruptions

ORLANDO, Fla. — After a hectic week at Orlando International Airport, Southwest Airlines returned to normal operations Friday after canceling a third of its flights this week.

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On Friday, only three flights were grounded.

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Since Christmas, thousands of Southwest passengers were stuck in Orlando after the airline grounded flights. Some spent hundreds to drive home for the holidays, while others caught flights on other airlines, just for Southwest to open up other flights.

OIA officials said it isn’t expecting it to be too busy, but on Monday things will gear up with the project busiest day of the holiday stretch with 162,000 travelers expected.

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Airport officials are asking people to arrive at least three hours early.

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Adam Poulisse, WFTV.com

Adam Poulisse joined WFTV in November 2019.