UPDATE: The House of Representatives is set to vote today on a critical funding bill aimed at ending the ongoing government shutdown. This urgent decision comes as thousands of travelers across the United States are facing severe disruptions at major airports.
As of this morning, LaGuardia Airport and Newark Airport have each reported 4% of their flights canceled, while John F. Kennedy Airport has seen 2% cancellations. The chaos in air travel is a direct consequence of the shutdown, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warning that airlines could cease operations altogether by the weekend if no resolution is reached.
“Significant disruption is imminent, potentially as early as Friday,” Duffy stated, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. He highlighted that airlines are faced with difficult decisions about whether to continue operations amidst the shutdown. “We might see airlines grounding planes if this continues,” he stressed.
Travelers are not the only ones affected. Nearly 42 million Americans relying on SNAP benefits are left in uncertainty, while federal workers are going without pay. Duffy assured that once the government reopens, air traffic controllers will receive payment within 24 to 48 hours and will be fully compensated within a week.
Currently, the FAA has implemented a 6% flight reduction, which is set to increase to 10% this Friday. Although commercial aviation has managed to operate over the past two days with fewer staffing issues—down from 81 triggers on Saturday to just four on Tuesday—many major airports are still grappling with the fallout.
Duffy mentioned that even after the shutdown concludes, it may take several days for air travel operations to normalize. “Data collected over time will determine the timeline for recovery,” he said, indicating that travelers should prepare for ongoing challenges even after a resolution is achieved.
As lawmakers deliberate in Washington, the clock is ticking for travelers and federal workers alike. The outcome of today’s vote will be pivotal in determining the future of air travel and government operations.
Stay tuned for updates as this situation develops.
