Flight cancellations skyrocket to over 1,500 as the government shutdown continues.
With thousands of delays as well, air travelers are feeling the woes at the airport. Many feel worried before and after arriving at the airport about whether they will make it to their destination on time, or even at all.
The late evening of Nov. 8 saw 1,521 flights nixed from the schedules of major airlines such as Delta, United, and American. According to ABC News, this figure has already surpassed the previous day’s 1,024 cancellations. With over 6,400 additional delays, flying during this typically popular travel season has felt like a nightmare to many.
The cancellations follow a government order to reduce flight traffic by 10% in the skies, as the shutdown has sparked staffing shortages, particularly in Air Traffic Control. By that same evening, more than 40 ATC staffing triggers occurred across the United States, sparking delays amid the mandated cancellation.
However, experts warned that further reductions could occur if the government does not reopen. As America prepares for its busy holiday travel, increased flight cancellations could cause chaos at airports nationwide. Thus far, the mandate has primarily affected 40 major airports, including airline hubs at ATL, LAX, and JFK, among others.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy shared his hope of getting the government back on track to avoid further decline. Duffy warned that the agency could require airlines to reduce flights by over 10% if the shutdown continues.
“My hope is that this government shutdown will end soon and we can get back in the business of letting Americans travel,” Duffy said in a Nov. 7 interview with ABC News Live.
Airport workers from TSA to the ATC have gone without a full paycheck since the Oct. 1 shutdown. The lack of pay has resulted in many calling out, often due to the inability to afford reporting for duty.
This has primarily impacted the top airlines within the U.S. Delta has seen the most flight cancellations, axing 7% of its initial flight roster. American, United, and Southwest have had 3% of their flights cancelled. All airlines have reported delays ranging from 25% to 30% of total flights.
Fortunately, those flying internationally will have their trips prioritized and less affected by the reduction mandate. Duffy said agreements with international hubs have prevented them from removing these flights from airline schedules.
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