ATLANTA —  Delta Air Lines Inc. canceled 200 flights throughout its system on Wednesday night and Thursday morning in anticipation of icy weather.

Delta spokeswoman Gina Laughlin said the airline hoped to reduce flight delays by decreasing the number of airplanes that sit at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport overnight — which reduced the amount of de-icing that had to be done. Such a strategy is common when ice, snow or sleet are in the forecast, she said.

Delta worked with customers with tickets for the canceled flights to find other accommodations, Laughlin said.