WASHINGTON—On Sunday, U.S. airlines canceled over 2,100 flights, with warnings that air travel could drastically slow if the federal government shutdown continues into the busy Thanksgiving holiday. This disruption has now stretched into its third day, significantly affecting 40 major airports. The FAA had to cut flights after some air traffic controllers stopped coming to work due to lack of pay.
On Sunday alone, there were around 7,000 flight delays reported. Just the day before, cancellations topped 1,000, while Saturday saw over 1,500 flights wiped out. The FAA has reduced flights by 4% and plans to increase this to 10% by November 14. These measures are impacting all commercial airlines between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. local time.
Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta experienced the most cancellations on Sunday, with more than 570 flights affected. Newark Liberty International Airport followed with around 265. Weather conditions, including freezing temperatures in Georgia, may have further complicated travel.
One traveler, Kyra March, shared her frustrating experience at Hartsfield-Jackson. She faced multiple delays and cancellations before finally arriving after staying at a hotel overnight.
The situation wasn’t much better elsewhere. Newark and LaGuardia airports saw average delays of about 75 minutes. In contrast, Detroit Metropolitan Airport had less congestion, with minimal wait times.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that if the shutdown continues, the problem could worsen. He noted that many air traffic controllers are choosing to retire now, complicating matters even further. “Up to 15 or 20 a day are retiring,” Duffy said, highlighting the growing staffing issues.
The trade group Airlines for America mentioned that air traffic control-related delays surged over 3,000 hours just on Saturday, the highest during this shutdown. Between October 1 and November 7, staffing shortages have already negatively impacted over 4 million passengers on U.S. airlines.
Many are turning to social media to share their travel woes. Twitter has seen a flurry of posts from frustrated travelers, using hashtags like #NoFlights and #TravelNightmare. Emotional reactions range from annoyance to anger as people recount their long waits and missed connecting flights.
The government’s ongoing struggle with staffing has been a long-standing issue. Experts believe that addressing these challenges requires not only immediate solutions but also long-term plans to attract and retain air traffic controllers.
As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, the situation remains tense. With fewer controllers on duty, travel disruptions seem inevitable, leaving many anxious about their plans to see family and friends. The future of air travel during this period is uncertain, and keeping informed is crucial.
For more details on the travel situation, you can check the FAA’s official updates here.
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