COVID-related staffing shortage leaves passengers sitting on DIA tarmac

DENVER — A staffing shortage brought on by COVID-19 cases caused long delays for travelers at Denver International Airport (DIA) Thursday night.

Passengers on United Airlines planes reported having to wait more than three hours on the tarmac after landing.

A DIA spokesperson said the delays were caused by a shortage of aircraft refueling personnel for the airline. 

United said in a statement that the nationwide spike in COVID-19 cases spurred by the omicron variant has had a direct impact on its operations, including the vendors responsible for refueling their aircraft at DIA. 

The airline apologized for the disruption and said it was working hard to get its customers on their way. 

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