(UPDATE BELOW) Hundreds, and perhaps thousands of travelers flying out of the NYC airports this morning may have tough times, as American Airlines expects to cancel dozens of flights for safety inspections.

American grounded its fleet of 300 MD-80 passenger jets yesterday for more federally-mandated inspections related to wiring in the plane’s wheel wells. There is fear the wires could be damaged and prevent the landing gear from operating properly.

It’s unclear how long the planes will be grounded.

The three area airports could lose a combined 85 flights per day while the inspections go on. American operates a total of 240 flights a day from LaGuardia, Kennedy and Newark.

American says it will put displaced passengers on other flights. Spokesman Tim Wagner says the airline is offering meals, lodging and ground transportation to affected travelers.

Check before you come to the airport. The inspections involve the wire bundles inside wheel-wells that could have been damaged by the movement of the landing gear. If damaged it would affect the backup hydraulic systems. Inspections should take only 10 or 20 minutes per plane, unless there is damage.

UPDATE: An additional 800+ flights have just been cancelled.

(Source: CBS2 / NY1)