In brief
As the government shutdown persists, the U.S. airline industry faces significant disruptions. Over the weekend, airlines canceled more than 4,300 flights, and further cancellations are expected as air traffic controllers continue to face pay delays. The FAA has implemented mandatory flight reductions to cope with staff shortages, raising concerns as the busy holiday travel season approaches.
NEW YORK (AP) — Travelers across the U.S. are feeling the impact of an ongoing government shutdown as flight cancellations soar. U.S. airlines canceled over 1,500 flights on Saturday and more than 2,900 on Sunday, following a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) order aimed at reducing air traffic due to unpaid air traffic controllers. As of Monday, nearly 1,600 flights had already been canceled for that day and almost 1,000 scheduled flights were off the table for Tuesday. This marks a significant rise in flight cancellations and delays, particularly at major airports with travelers experiencing over an hour of wait times in places like Newark, Orlando, Chicago, and Detroit.With air traffic controllers not being paid during the shutdown, staffing shortages are becoming critical. The FAA has mandated flight reductions by 4%, with projections suggesting this could rise to 10% by next weekend. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy noted that these challenges are intensified as controllers consider retiring earlier, further straining the already overwhelmed system. The looming holiday season raises fears of an even deeper crisis in air travel, as the industry braces for possible substantial reductions in flights leading up to Thanksgiving.
