The U.S. aviation sector faced over 2,700 flight cancellations on Sunday, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy cautioning that air travel could significantly slow down during the busy Thanksgiving period if the federal government shutdown continues. The ongoing slowdown at 40 major airports has entered its third day, causing broader disruptions. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued flight reduction mandates at the busiest airports last week due to unpaid air traffic controllers not reporting to work.
On Sunday, there were more than 10,000 flight delays, marking the highest disruptions in a single day since the shutdown began. The FAA initiated reductions starting at four percent on Friday, with plans to increase to 10 percent by November 14, impacting all commercial airlines between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. local time.
Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta experienced the most cancellations, with over 570 flights affected, followed by Newark Liberty International Airport with at least 265 cancellations. Weather conditions in Georgia, including freezing warnings, could have contributed to the disruptions.
Traveler Kyra March shared her experience of delays and cancellations, finally arriving at Hartsfield-Jackson after rebooking her flight multiple times. At airports like Newark and LaGuardia in New York, average departure delays reached around 75 minutes due to staffing shortages, while Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport witnessed minimal wait times amidst cancellations and delays.
Secretary Duffy cautioned that if the shutdown prolongs, there might be further flight reductions, possibly up to 20 percent, especially as controllers continue to work without pay. He highlighted the potential impact on Thanksgiving travel, foreseeing a significant decrease in air travel as controllers face financial uncertainties.
The shortage of air traffic controllers has been a longstanding issue, further exacerbated by the shutdown, leading to an increased rate of retirements. Despite offers of military support, uncertainties remain about their certification to operate civilian systems.
Duffy refuted claims that flight cancellations were politically motivated, emphasizing the need for safety measures in an overburdened system. Airlines for America reported that staffing-related delays exceeded 3,000 hours on Saturday, with staffing problems contributing to 71 percent of delay time. Overall, controller shortages have disrupted over four million passengers on U.S. carriers since the beginning of October.