U.S. travel stocks took an initial hit on Dec 27, but recovered most of the losses on Dec. 28, amid a surge in Omicron cases that is affecting the airline, casino, and cruise industries. A spike in Omicron cases, staff shortages at airlines, and weather-related problems forced the latest round of massive flight cancellations, leaving travelers stranded across the country during the holiday travel season, which lasts from Dec. 23 to Jan. 2. This follows the disastrous Christmas weekend, which left the airline industry struggling at its peak profit season with over 3,000 flight cancellations in the United States alone. The three major U.S. Airlines have been cancelling or delaying hundreds of flights a day at a time when more than 109 million Americans travel long distances to see loved ones. Airlines in the United States are being forced to cancel flights due to “COVID-related sick calls” from staff and pilots. Over 1,000 flights covering the United …