Post by : Badri Ariffin

On Friday, air travelers across the United States experienced extraordinary disruptions as the lingering government shutdown prompted airlines to significantly reduce flights and address widespread delays. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandated a 4% decrease at 40 major airports, a number expected to escalate to 10% by November 14 if the deadlock continues.

Nationwide, increased absenteeism among air traffic controllers and security screeners—many of whom have been working without compensation for weeks—resulted in over 5,300 flight delays. At Reagan Washington National Airport, travelers faced average wait times of four hours, with 17% of flights being canceled.

The four largest U.S. carriers—American Airlines, Delta, Southwest, and United—felt the immediate impact. American Airlines alone canceled 220 flights on Friday, leaving approximately 12,000 passengers affected, while United Airlines grounded 184 flights. Although many passengers were quickly rebooked, the situation is poised to worsen if the shutdown continues.

Major travel hubs such as Atlanta, San Francisco, Houston, Phoenix, Washington, DC, and Newark have already been thrown into chaos due to the flight reductions. FAA Administrator Sean Duffy cautioned that continued absenteeism among air traffic controllers could necessitate cuts of up to 20% of flights, raising urgent concerns regarding travel safety and operational logistics.

Entering its 38th day, the shutdown has left 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 security screeners unpaid, exacerbating absenteeism and putting immense pressure on the aviation system. Airport monitors are inundated with cancellations and delays, leaving travelers anxious and uncertain about their holiday travel plans.

While the weekend may see a slight decrease in cancellations due to fewer flights, experts indicate that ongoing labor shortages and governmental stagnation could complicate regular travel logistics.

#Global News