More than 1,400 flights were canceled in the U.S. over the weekend due to significant traffic cuts implemented during the ongoing federal government shutdown. On Saturday, nearly 6,000 flights faced delays, down from over 7,000 reported on Friday, according to FlightAware.
Background on the Flight Cancellations
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced reductions in air travel capacity of up to 10% at 40 key airports. This decision comes amid reports of air traffic controllers experiencing fatigue as they work without pay during the shutdown.
Current Situation
The shutdown, which began on October 1, marks the longest in U.S. history, lasting 39 days. Political leaders remain divided over funding resolutions to end the stalemate.
- Flight Cancellations: 1,400+ flights canceled on Saturday.
- Flight Delays: Nearly 6,000 flights delayed.
- Air Traffic Controllers: Working without pay; many experiencing fatigue.
Impact on Major Airports
New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport reported some of the most severe delays, with arrivals averaging over four hours behind schedule and departures delayed by 1.5 hours.
Other Affected Airports
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport
- Departures impacted at John F. Kennedy International, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, and LaGuardia.
As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches on November 27, the U.S. is entering one of its busiest travel seasons, intensifying concerns over the ongoing disruptions.
Future Projections
FAA officials indicated that flight reductions will gradually increase: starting at 4% on Friday, increasing to 6% by November 11, 8% by November 13, and reaching a full 10% by November 14. These measures aim to uphold safety standards as overworked air traffic controllers continue to manage their responsibilities.
Challenges Faced by Workers
The shutdown has adversely affected around 1.4 million federal workers, many of whom are either working without pay or have been placed on forced leave. Furthermore, most of the 64,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents are also not receiving pay, impacting airport security.
In response to the turmoil, American Airlines has urged leaders in Washington to swiftly resolve the shutdown issues. Secretary Duffy emphasized that the reduction in air traffic volume includes restrictions on private jets at busy airports, allowing air traffic controllers to focus on commercial aviation.
With the current flight disruptions and the impending Thanksgiving travel season, the situation will likely worsen if negotiations in Congress do not yield results soon.
