Travelers at San Francisco International Airport experienced significant flight delays on Monday, as complications from a month-long federal government shutdown continued to impact air travel across the nation. Control towers have been left short-staffed, resulting in escalating frustration at airports and heightened tensions in Washington.
As of Monday evening, San Francisco International Airport reported 112 flight delays and one cancellation, building on the weekend’s already disconcerting statistics of 272 delays and six cancellations on Sunday, and 179 delays on Saturday. Nationwide, over 5,000 flights were delayed on Sunday alone, with nearly 2,900 delays reported by Monday evening, alongside around 70 cancellations.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy addressed the situation, emphasizing the shortage of air traffic controllers and the need for the government to intentionally slow air travel to ensure safety. “We will delay, we will cancel, any kind of flight across the national airspace to make sure people are safe,” Duffy conveyed in an interview, noting that the pressure on controllers to handle multiple jobs raises safety concerns.
Nearly 50% of the nation’s major air traffic control facilities are operating below the recommended staffing levels, according to data from the Federal Aviation Administration. Secretary Duffy warned that without a resolution to the shutdown in the coming weeks, the challenges faced by travelers could worsen significantly.
Essential workers such as air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration officers continue to report to work without pay, and many have started to miss shifts or seek other employment to manage their financial situations. “None of them can miss two paychecks,” Duffy stated, alerting to the real consequences on the air travel system if the staff continues to struggle financially.
Data from the Department of Transportation highlighted that staffing issues accounted for an alarming 84% of all flight delays on Sunday, a stark increase compared to just 5% during the first nine months of the year. Duffy warned travelers to expect more delays and cancellations, further complicating journeys as the Thanksgiving travel season approaches.
The U.S. Travel Association has added its voice to the calls for Congress to end the shutdown, stressing the urgent need for action to restore travel confidence before the holiday rush. In a letter supported by 500 companies, including major names like Hilton and MGM Resorts, the group described the reopening of the government as essential to maintaining safety and regaining confidence in air travel.
The financial implications of the shutdown are severe, with the Congressional Budget Office estimating a cost to the U.S. economy of between $7 billion and $14 billion so far. As the ripple effects grow, six in ten Americans are reconsidering their travel plans. The White House, however, has directed blame towards the political standoff, suggesting that travelers should “Thank a Democrat” for the difficulties faced.
As travelers navigate these mounting challenges, the hope remains that swift legislative action can restore normalcy and alleviate the strains on air travel, allowing the industry to rebound in time for the busy holiday season.