U.S. carriers had to cancel over 2,700 flights on Sunday amid concerns raised by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy about potential severe disruptions in air travel nationwide during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday season if the federal government shutdown persists. The slowdown, affecting 40 major airports, has entered its third day, leading to increasing disruptions. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued flight reduction orders for the busiest airports due to a number of unpaid air traffic controllers not reporting to work.
FlightAware reported more than 10,000 flight delays on Sunday, marking the highest daily disruptions since the start of the government shutdown. The FAA initially implemented a four percent reduction in flights on Friday, which will gradually increase to 10 percent by November 14, affecting all commercial airlines.
Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta experienced the most cancellations on Sunday, followed by Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. Weather conditions in Georgia, including widespread freezing conditions, added to the flight disruption challenges.
Passenger Kyra March shared her travel ordeal after facing multiple delays and cancellations before finally reaching Hartsfield-Jackson on Sunday. The FAA highlighted staffing shortages at Newark and LaGuardia Airport in New York, leading to significant departure delays. In contrast, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport in Michigan saw minimal crowds at security checkpoints due to delays and cancellations.
Secretary Duffy cautioned that air traffic could further decline if the shutdown continues, potentially necessitating additional flight cuts of up to 20 percent. He emphasized the impact on air travel during the busy Thanksgiving season, foreseeing significant disruptions and thousands of cancellations unless air traffic controllers receive their due pay.
The ongoing government shutdown has exacerbated the long-standing air traffic controller shortage, prompting an accelerated rate of retirements. Efforts to address the staffing issues include considerations of military air traffic controllers, although certification for civilian systems remains a question mark.
Despite allegations of political motives behind the flight cancellations, Secretary Duffy defended the necessary actions taken to ensure aviation safety. Airlines for America reported that staffing-related delays in air traffic control surpassed 3,000 hours on Saturday, contributing to 71 percent of total delay time during the shutdown period.