Flight delays and cancellations are wreaking havoc on US air travel for the third day in a row. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that if the government shutdown continues, air traffic could dwindle significantly. Over 2,900 flights have been canceled, and more than 8,600 have faced delays, with Newark reporting average delays exceeding two hours.
There’s a glimmer of hope. Lawmakers are trying to strike a deal to fund the government and end the shutdown. The Senate even held a rare weekend session to discuss the matter.
Duffy emphasized that the situation for air travel will worsen if a resolution isn’t reached soon. He stated that travelers heading home for Thanksgiving might struggle to find flights, as many airlines will cut back on services. In light of this, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced plans to reduce air travel capacity significantly this weekend.
Many air traffic controllers are not at work due to the shutdown and lack of pay, which contributes to these capacity cuts. While there was an offer for military air traffic controllers to step in, they aren’t certified for civilian airports, so that solution won’t work.
The shutdown has left hundreds of thousands of federal workers without pay. Food assistance programs are also in limbo, with the government only approving half of the monthly benefits.
Current political tensions are contributing to the deadlock, leading both parties to blame each other for the chaos. The White House criticized Democrats for what they described as a “man-made catastrophe” impacting everyday Americans. Meanwhile, Democratic leaders have accused Republicans of gambling with lives and livelihoods.
This shutdown has now spanned 40 days, marking the longest in US history. As both parties seem entrenched in their positions, many are left wondering how long these disruptions will continue.
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