Airlines across the United States faced a significant disruption on Sunday, with over 2,200 flights being canceled as the government shutdown entered its 33rd day. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued a stark warning about the potential for air travel to decline to a “trickle” in the weeks leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday, citing air traffic control staff shortages exacerbated by the ongoing federal funding impasse.
The shutdown, now extending beyond 40 days, has created critical shortages among air traffic controllers, many of whom have been working without pay. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has enacted a series of mandatory flight reductions across major airports due to safety concerns. Starting Friday, airlines were instructed to cut 4% of their daily flights at 40 key airports, which is set to escalate to 10% by November 14.
Duffy emphasized that without a resolution, travelers might struggle to secure flights as the holiday approaches, stating that “many of them are not going to be able to get on an airplane.” This year’s Thanksgiving falls on November 27, when millions typically travel to be with family and friends. The reductions seen on Sunday represented the highest number of cancellations since the shutdown began, with more than 7,200 delays reported by the afternoon.
Larger airlines, including United Airlines, have begun preemptively announcing further cancellations, including 190 flights for Monday and 269 for Tuesday. As of early Sunday evening, the FAA reported staffing issues at 12 control towers, which has compounded the delays and cancellations that have affected approximately 3.2 million passengers since the shutdown’s onset.
In a broader context, the ongoing challenges faced by air traffic controllers echo previously experienced operational difficulties during past government shutdowns. With the FAA already 1,000 to 2,000 controllers short of full staffing, these staffing challenges are not new but are now critically worsened by the current political stalemate.
Despite current challenges, there’s hope for resolution as discussions around budget agreements continue. Both airline executives and government officials are pushing for a reopening of the government to restore operations and address the financial security of federal employees. The resilience and commitment of the workforce continue to be highlighted, as they strive to manage and mitigate the impact on air travel.
As the holiday season approaches, both the industry and passengers remain anxiously awaiting improvements in air travel conditions. The situation serves as a potent reminder of the importance of operational stability in aviation and the vital need for effective governance to ensure that essential sectors function smoothly for the public’s benefit.