Flight cancellations climb across the U.S. as the government shutdown impacts air traffic control staffing and airline operations.
U.S. Flight Disruptions Intensify Amid Government Shutdown
Escalating Travel Chaos Across U.S. Airports
Air travel across the United States continued to deteriorate on Monday as the ongoing federal government shutdown triggered mounting flight cancellations and lengthy delays. Airlines were forced to adjust schedules after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered reduced traffic levels due to a growing shortage of air traffic controllers reporting for work.
Rising Cancellation Numbers
As of early Monday, nearly 1,600 flights had already been cancelled, following more than 1,500 cancellations on Saturday and nearly 2,900 on Sunday. Projections show close to 1,000 flights already cut for Tuesday. Monday marked the fourth straight day in which cancellations exceeded 1,000. Airline operations were further strained by a winter storm affecting Chicago, a major national hub.
Staffing Shortages Driving the Crisis
The disruptions stem from air traffic controllers who have gone unpaid for nearly a month and are increasingly unable or unwilling to continue working without compensation. Some have begun calling in sick, while others are retiring earlier than planned. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said over the weekend that the FAA may have to mandate reductions of up to 20 percent if staffing continues to worsen.
Impact at Major Airports
Travellers at key airports including Newark, Orlando, Chicago and Detroit faced wait times exceeding an hour even for flights that remained scheduled. According to tracking service FlightAware, departure delays continued to climb throughout the day, with airlines struggling to reposition aircraft, pilots and crews amid restricted flight operations.
FAA’s Measures and Broader Concerns
The FAA initially ordered a four percent cut in flights at major airports, with reductions expected to rise to six percent by Tuesday and up to ten percent by the end of the week. Officials say the cuts are necessary to maintain safety as remaining controllers face extended shifts and mandatory overtime. The staffing challenges, however, predate the shutdown, with years-long shortages now reaching critical levels.
Ongoing Negotiations and Outlook
The U.S. Senate took preliminary steps on Sunday toward reopening the government, though a final agreement may still be days away. Even once funding is restored, aviation experts warn that normal flight operations could take considerable time to resume. With the busy American Thanksgiving travel season approaching, concerns are rising that air travel could be reduced to “a trickle” if the shutdown continues.
