Airlines have faced flight woes after a record-setting US summer travel season and voluntary cut flights because of air traffic shortages.

The claim brings a new element to a controversy surrounding the Australian Labor government's relationship with Qantas which had lobbied against a Qatar Airways request to increase its flights.

Hundreds of flights were cancelled or delayed after air traffic controllers were forced to switch to manual systems.

Canadians vented their frustration on social media after prices of commercial flights out of Yellowknife soared up to 10-fold above normal just as residents were ordered to evacuate due to raging wildfires.

US airlines have sparred with the administration in recent years over responsibility for flight delays, passenger rights, landing slots and other issues.

The number of passengers moving through airport checkpoints has been averaging above pre-pandemic levels since mid-May and hit a four-year high last month, reports show.

Over 4,000 households have experienced power cuts in the capital Seoul due to the heavy rain with 136 people forced to evacuate nationwide, reports say.

The FAA has cited thunderstorms for ground stops at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta airport, Philadelphia airport, Newark's Liberty airport and New York's JFK and LaGuardia airports.

A Delta flight had arrived in San Antonio, Texas from Los Angeles and was taxiing to the gate with one engine on when the incident occurred, reports say.

Oil prices, labour costs, and other costs associated with the supply chain are factored into the cost of ticket prices.

Analysts estimate the US is 10,000 pilots short.

The FAA, airlines and flight tracking websites reported smooth travel over the Memorial Day period and significant improvements over 2022 performance, including cancellation rates far below recent years.