The solar eclipse on Monday ushered in a momentous occasion for several of the nation's smaller airports, as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported temporary halts to arriving flights at airports spanning from Burlington, Vermont, to southern Illinois in anticipation of the total eclipse.

While such disruptions are typically attributed to adverse weather conditions and congestion at major urban airports, the unprecedented demand for optimal eclipse viewing locations resulted in congestion at smaller airfields. Notably, the most favorable views of the solar eclipse in the United States extended from Texas through Illinois, Kentucky, and Ohio to northwestern New York and Maine, as indicated by NASA.

To manage the surge in air traffic and prevent parking congestion on the ground, the FAA implemented traffic adjustments to afford airports the necessary time to accommodate the influx of aircraft. Alyssa Connell, head of operations at Southern Illinois Airport in Murphysboro, Illinois, revealed that the airport had to close its runway to facilitate aircraft parking. With the facility reaching its maximum threshold for both small propeller aircraft and larger jets, the eclipse event marked an unparalleled volume of air traffic for the airport.

Similarly, Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport in Vermont braced for a significant influx of general aviation planes alongside scheduled commercial passenger jet traffic. Dave Carman, deputy director of aviation operations, described the heightened activity as the busiest day on record, anticipating challenges in managing the increased volume of flights.

The eclipse garnered attention as a major event during the FAA's morning planning call at its command center in Warrenton, Virginia, with the agency issuing warnings to pilots regarding potential disruptions and heavy traffic at airports along the eclipse's trajectory.

Taking advantage of the celestial spectacle, Delta Air Lines offered special eclipse flights, providing passengers with the opportunity to witness the phenomenon from the sky. Additionally, other airlines highlighted flights offering views of the eclipse along the "path of totality," with United Airlines reporting a surge in bookings to cities like San Antonio, Cleveland, and Little Rock, Arkansas, coinciding with the eclipse.

Beyond aviation, the eclipse is anticipated to stimulate economic activity, with hotels, house rentals, and local businesses poised to benefit from increased tourism as enthusiasts converge to witness the rare cosmic event.