URGENT UPDATE: Airport chaos deepens as the government shutdown drags on, leading to a staggering surge in flight cancellations. U.S. airlines scrapped over 1,500 flights on Saturday and more than 2,900 on Sunday due to an FAA order triggered by a critical shortage of air traffic controllers. With some controllers going unpaid for nearly a month, their absence is causing severe disruptions across the nation.
As of early Monday, airlines have canceled nearly 1,600 flights for today alone, with nearly 1,000 more already grounded for Tuesday. Major airports including Newark, Orlando, Chicago, and Detroit are experiencing departure delays exceeding an hour, and conditions are expected to worsen.
The Senate took a preliminary step toward ending the shutdown on Sunday, but experts warn that even if a deal is reached, it will take time for air travel to stabilize. The FAA has mandated a 4% reduction in flights this past weekend, which is set to escalate to 6% on Tuesday and 10% by the upcoming weekend.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated on “Fox News Sunday” that additional cuts of up to 20% might be necessary if the situation does not improve. “More controllers aren’t coming to work day by day, the further they go without a paycheck,” Duffy emphasized, highlighting the urgent crisis facing air traffic control.
This marks the second pay period without compensation for air traffic controllers. The head of their union, Nick Daniels, is set to hold a press conference Monday morning to discuss the profound impact of the shutdown on their workforce.
The staffing crisis is compounded by years of shortages in air traffic controllers, a problem exacerbated by the shutdown. Duffy noted that the lack of pay has prompted some controllers to accelerate their retirement plans, further diminishing the workforce just as holiday travel season approaches.
If the shutdown continues, the situation will likely deteriorate further, with the busy Thanksgiving travel week looming. Duffy warned that air travel could “be reduced to a trickle” if immediate action is not taken.
Travelers are advised to stay informed and check flight statuses regularly as developments unfold. The ongoing crisis not only affects travelers but also poses significant challenges for airlines struggling to manage their operations effectively amid the escalating disruptions.
As the country braces for what could be a tumultuous holiday travel season, the urgency for a resolution to the shutdown has never been greater. The ripple effects of these cancellations and delays will resonate through the travel industry and beyond, impacting millions of Americans hoping to reunite with loved ones during the holidays.
