How the US government shutdown is grounding flights and threatening holiday travel
Airlines have started scaling back operations amid staff shortages and restricted air traffic control services, according to a report by The Washington Post
Hundreds of flights across major US airports have been cancelled this weekend as the aviation industry begins to feel the strain of an ongoing government shutdown.
Airlines have started scaling back operations amid staff shortages and restricted air traffic control services, according to a report by The Washington Post.
While there have been no major nationwide disruptions so far, aviation experts warn that the situation could deteriorate rapidly if the shutdown drags on, particularly as the busy Thanksgiving travel season approaches. The ripple effects could extend far beyond air travel, affecting tourism, supply chains, and consumer prices.
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Here's what's happening:
How many flights have been cancelled?
Yesterday (7 November), the first day of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) mandated slowdown, more than 1,000 flights were cancelled nationwide, data from FlightAware showed.
Another 700 cancellations followed today, typically one of the quieter days for air travel.
Though the numbers currently represent a small fraction of total flights, they are expected to rise in the coming days. The FAA said the reduction applies to all commercial airlines, starting with a 4% cut at 40 major airports, which could increase to 10% next week if the shutdown persists.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that further cuts could follow as more air traffic controllers are unable to work without pay.
Why is the government shutdown affecting flights?
The primary reason lies in staffing shortages among air traffic controllers, who have now gone without pay for nearly a month. Many have called in sick or taken second jobs to make ends meet, leaving the system under strain.
According to the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, most controllers are currently working six days a week on mandatory overtime, without pay. The pressure has been mounting, raising fears of safety risks and burnout among essential aviation workers.
How are passengers coping?
Passengers have so far experienced limited disruption, with many able to rebook quickly. Still, uncertainty looms large.
"I just don't want to be stranded at the airport sleeping on a bench," said Michele Cuthbert, a traveller from Columbus, Ohio, concerned about her upcoming flight to Dallas.
Car rental companies have reported a surge in one-way bookings as travellers seek alternatives, while some are cancelling trips altogether to avoid potential chaos.
Could this affect more than just travel?
The consequences are likely to spill over into the wider economy.
Nearly half of all air freight in the US travels in the cargo holds of passenger aircraft. Fewer flights mean potential shipping delays and higher transportation costs, which could drive up retail prices, warned Patrick Penfield, a supply chain expert at Syracuse University.
The tourism sector could also take a hit if the disruptions persist, said Greg Raiff, CEO of Elevate Aviation Group.
"This shutdown is going to impact everything - from cargo aircraft to people getting to business meetings to tourists being able to travel," he said.
"It's going to hit hotel taxes, city taxes. There's a cascading effect that results from this thing."
For now, US airlines and passengers alike are bracing for what could be a long and turbulent few weeks.
