Flight operations across the United States showed signs of improvement on Wednesday, with a decrease in scheduled cancellations as the sixth day of air travel disruptions unfolded. According to FlightAware, over 850 flights were canceled on Wednesday, a marked reduction compared to earlier in the week. This adjustment comes as airlines anticipate implementing further schedule cuts according to a plan introduced by the Trump administration. The reductions, which began with a 6 percent decrease in flight traffic on Tuesday, are projected to increase to 8 percent by Thursday and 10 percent by Friday.
Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy urged House representatives to expedite the approval of a deal to reopen the government, warning that failure to do so could lead to further chaos in air travel. This scenario raises concerns, especially with Thanksgiving travel approaching, as approximately 31 million individuals are expected to take to the skies. “If the government doesn’t reopen, you’ll see massively more disruptions this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday than what we’ve experienced this past weekend,” Duffy stated during a news conference.
Over the past five days, airlines have faced significant challenges, including nearly 3,000 cancellations on one peak day, alongside over 11,000 delayed flights on Sunday. While a bill to reopen the government has cleared the Senate and was set for discussion in the House, Duffy refrained from providing a specific timeline for when normal flight operations could be expected to resume. He indicated that the Transportation Department would assess data before lifting travel restrictions, although there have been reports of fewer staffing issues among air traffic control facilities.
Duffy also pointed out that if the government remains closed, the disruption could escalate to a point where airlines may need to consider grounding their operations entirely. He said, “We might find airlines that have to make decisions — do they keep flying?”
Even with the hopeful passage of the bill, aviation experts caution it will take time for operations to stabilize, as airlines will need to recalibrate their schedules and ensure that crews and aircraft are appropriately positioned.
Addressing concerns about air traffic controllers’ pay during the shutdown, Duffy reassured that they would receive 70 percent of their owed wages within 24 to 48 hours following the government’s reopening, with the remaining 30 percent to follow within a week. Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, acknowledged that while the news of back pay is welcome, the repercussions of the shutdown will persist.
Despite the ongoing challenges, the gradual return to normalcy in air travel offers a glimmer of hope to travelers and industry stakeholders as they navigate this tumultuous period.