De-icer Shortage May Mean More Flight Delays

If your flight leaves late this winter, consider blaming Canada. A mineworkers' strike there has led to a shortage of a key chemical used to de-ice runways. Airports plan to use other chemicals instead, but that will take a toll on both budgets and the environment, reports USA Today.

One major manufacturer of de-icing liquid estimates it will produce less than a third of the amount it did last year. "We're pretty confident that, while it may cost us more, we will be able to get what we need.," said a rep for Detroit's airport, the 5th snowiest in the nation. (More airport stories.)