URGENT UPDATE: Airport chaos is escalating across the United States as the federal government shutdown continues, with significant flight cancellations and delays expected to worsen in the coming days. U.S. airlines have already canceled over 1,500 flights on Saturday and 2,900 flights on Sunday, following an FAA order to reduce air traffic due to a critical shortage of air traffic controllers who have gone unpaid for nearly a month.
As of early Monday, airlines have canceled nearly 1,600 flights for today and close to 1,000 for Tuesday. This situation is expected to deteriorate further if Congress fails to reach an agreement to reopen the government.
Flight delays are rampant, particularly at major airports including Newark, Orlando, Chicago, and Detroit, where travelers face departures delayed by over an hour, according to FlightAware data. Nick Daniels, head of the air traffic controllers union, is scheduled to hold a press conference this morning to discuss the shutdown’s impact on air traffic safety and staffing.
The FAA has mandated a 4% reduction in flights to manage the staffing crisis, which will increase to 6% on Tuesday and 10% by this weekend. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned on “Fox News Sunday” that additional cuts of up to 20% may be necessary as the situation worsens. “More controllers aren’t coming to work day by day, the further they go without a paycheck,” Duffy stated.
This crisis marks the second pay period that air traffic controllers have gone without pay, leading to a growing exodus of staff as some controllers opt for early retirement. The government has struggled with a shortage of air traffic controllers for years, and the current shutdown has only intensified the issue.
Despite the seemingly modest 4% reduction in flights, this cut will significantly impact operations at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports, vital for managing safety while remaining understaffed. Duffy emphasized, “If not addressed soon, air travel may be reduced to a trickle by the week of Thanksgiving.”
As we head into the busy holiday season, the ramifications of the shutdown could lead to unprecedented disruptions in travel plans for millions of Americans. With travel delays mounting and airlines unable to properly reposition their resources, the situation remains critical.
Travelers are urged to check flight statuses regularly and prepare for potential cancellations as this developing story unfolds. Stay tuned for updates as Congress works to resolve the shutdown and restore normal operations.
