Originally Posted by
Cissigys
Not sure whether this is the full story but, as an ITH-based flier (with a good mix of SYR thrown in), I've paid attention to the coverage of this. It sounds like the issue was that there weren't enough flights that landed shortly before this one to be able to give an accurate report on braking conditions. With dicey weather it sounds like the pilots just weren't willing to risk landing in ITH when they didn't have sufficient info on braking. Also, SYR is only about a 75-minute drive down to ITH. The communication from UA sounds like it could have been better, but I think it's great that they "played it safe" this time.
I am also ITH-based, and have been following this story, which was first reported by 14850.com. That article contains this quote:
"According to a passenger on the flight, they were initially told they couldn’t land due to 'snow on the runway,' then that they couldn’t land in Ithaca 'for legal reasons.'
"There’s been no snow in Ithaca on Sunday, and Ithaca airport deputy director Josh Nalley confirms to 14850 Today that there are no weather conditions or runway conditions that could have affected an incoming flight."
Josh Nalley is the ITH Airport Fire Chief, and is responsible for airfield operations and maintenance. So it truly is puzzling why this flight was diverted, although perhaps Gojet does indeed have special requirements for landings.