U.S. Air Travel Faces Growing Chaos as Government Shutdown Drags On, Federal Official Warns
As the federal government shutdown enters its sixth week, airlines expect travel havoc. U.S. transportation officials warn air traffic control personnel delays have slowed aircraft schedules and could affect holiday travel.
Federal officials say thousands of planes had been delayed or canceled due to air traffic controller and other critical manpower shortages caused by the closure. One senior transportation official cautioned that airline operations may “reduced to a trickle” two weeks before Thanksgiving without funding. Major U.S. airports have over 10,000 daily delays and thousands of canceled flights, according to new data.
Congress’s failure to pass federal employee compensation legislation forced the closure. This causes many sensitive and industrious air traffic controllers to miss work, retire early, or work additional jobs to make ends meet. A day without 18–22 controllers at one airport caused “staffing triggers” that delayed, rerouted, or canceled planes.
The FAA has ordered airlines to cut flights at dozens of major airports due to staff shortages. If the closure continues, agencies will reduce 4–10%. In order to avoid danger, controller shortages limit airspace congestion.
Despite system safety guarantees, federal officials see more risk. Instead than endangering safety, understaffing may slow traffic or cancel flights. If the finance deadlock continues, senior officials said, “the problem is going to only get worse, not better” despite regulation.
Emergency time increases urgency. Thanksgiving travel is popular in the US. US millions fly. Fewer flights and lengthier delays may cause travelers to cancel or reschedule. A “substantial” number of people may miss flights or fail to reach their destinations if the closure persists, the transportation official said.
Airlines adjusted schedules, improved flexibility, and assessed airport capacity. Industry sources worry about further disruptions if federal employment drops or modernization projects stop owing to financial worries. Rebuilding training pipelines and staffing levels may cause rippling effects after the shutdown.
Washington leaders are under pressure to resolve the budget dispute. Politicians worry that aircraft disruptions during peak holiday travel might affect business, tourism, and consumer trust. A U.S. air transport breakdown is more likely the longer the shutdown lasts, even with operational safety.
Coming weeks may bring flight cancellations, delays, and capacity limits. Holiday travel demands flexibility, early booking, and backup plans.
Sources
Reuters
New York Post
People Magazine
The Sun
