More than 1,000 flights to, from, or within the United States were canceled on Saturday, following orders for airlines to reduce traffic amid the ongoing federal government shutdown. Additionally, nearly 4,000 flights experienced delays, a decrease from over 7,000 delays the previous day, according to data from flight tracker FlightAware.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced earlier in the week that it would cut air travel capacity by up to 10% at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports due to reports of fatigue among air traffic controllers, who are currently working without pay during the shutdown. This situation arises as negotiations between Republicans and Democrats in Congress remain stalled. The shutdown, which began on October 1, has now reached its 39th day.
As travel disruptions become more pronounced, senators are engaged in bipartisan talks over the weekend to find a resolution. Reports indicate that the consequences of the shutdown are affecting broader areas, including cuts to food aid, which adds to the urgency of resolving the impasse.
At Newark Liberty International Airport, wait times for arrivals were reported to exceed four hours, while departures experienced delays averaging 1.5 hours. The airports with the highest number of canceled flights included Charlotte/Douglas International, Newark Liberty International, and Chicago O’Hare International.
With the Thanksgiving holiday approaching, which is a peak travel period in the U.S., the situation may worsen as the FAA plans to increase flight cancellations gradually. This reduction is projected to reach a full 10% by November 14. The FAA justified these measures as necessary to ensure safety, given the overworked status of air traffic controllers. These controllers are among 1.4 million federal workers affected by the shutdown, with many having reported sick or taken second jobs to cope with financial hardships. The impact also extends to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), where a significant number of agents are not being paid during the shutdown.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj410k00yw8o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss