U.S. airlines scrapped 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 ongoing slowdown at 40 major U.S. airports has entered its third day, leading to a broader impact. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had mandated flight reductions at the busiest airports due to a significant number of unpaid air traffic controllers not reporting to work for almost a month.
On Sunday, more than 10,000 flight delays were recorded, marking the highest disruptions in a single day since the commencement of the government shutdown. Flight cancellations exceeded 1,000 on Friday and over 1,500 on Saturday.
The FAA initiated reductions at a rate of four percent, which will progressively escalate to 10 percent by November 14. These measures are applicable from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time and will impact all commercial airlines.
Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta faced the most cancellations on Sunday, with over 570 flights affected, followed by Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey with at least 265 cancellations. Weather conditions in Georgia, including widespread freezing warnings until Tuesday, could have contributed to the disruptions.
Kyra March, a traveler, recounted her delayed journey to Hartsfield-Jackson, highlighting the challenges faced by passengers due to the flight cancellations and delays.
Secretary Duffy cautioned that if the shutdown continues, U.S. air traffic could face significant declines, potentially necessitating additional flight cuts of up to 20 percent. He emphasized the increasing reluctance of controllers to work as they remain unpaid, posing a threat to the Thanksgiving travel period.
Duffy emphasized the need for honest assessment, predicting a sharp decline in air travel closer to the holiday, with minimal flights operating and a high number of cancellations due to staffing shortages.
The ongoing government shutdown has exacerbated the shortage of air traffic controllers, prompting an increased rate of retirements. Efforts to mitigate the crisis include potential military controller assistance, though their certification for civilian systems remains uncertain.
Duffy dismissed claims of political motives behind the flight disruptions, emphasizing the priority of ensuring safety amidst an overburdened air traffic system. Airlines for America reported significant delays due to staffing issues, affecting millions of passengers on U.S. carriers since the start of the shutdown.
