Southwest Airlines cancels hundreds of flights in California, Arizona due to rain, wind

Storms cancel hundreds of Southwest flights

SAN DIEGO — Southwest Airlines says it has canceled hundreds of flights in Southern California and Arizona due to heavy rains and strong winds.

The airline said Thursday it suspended all takeoffs and landings at airports in Burbank, Ontario and San Diego in California and at facilities in Phoenix and Tucson in Arizona.

Most Southwest flights are canceled at John Wayne airport in Orange County, and some are canceled at Los Angeles International Airport.

Airline spokesman Brad Hawkins says 418 flights had been canceled as of early afternoon. Passengers are being booked on later Southwest flights.

Operations are expected to resume at 4 p.m. in San Diego and at 6 p.m. in Burbank and Ontario.