ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Almost two months after announcing its slate of autumn flights, Honor Flight Rochester says it's pulling the plug due to the spread of the COVID-19 delta variant.

The organization flies local military veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit war memorials.

Honor Flight had set up "Mission 70" for next month, but with this fourth wave of COVID cases, organizers say they have to put off the trips for now.

"COVID-19 has to be on the retreat," Honor Flight Rochester president and CEO Richard Stewart said. "It doesn't have to be gone, but has to be on the retreat, and we can manage the risk in front of us and the risk is getting bigger every day."

No honor flights have taken off from Rochester during the pandemic.

Stewart is optimistic three flights can be held in the spring.