Travel Disruption Intensifies Amid US Government Shutdown
Major airports in cities like New York, Chicago, and Atlanta experienced the brunt of the chaos, with Atlanta’s primary airport alone canceling upwards of 200 flights.
Airlines for America, representing the country’s leading carriers, reported that over 4 million travelers have been impacted since early October, a media outlet noted.
Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy cautioned on Sunday that the shutdown’s effect on US airports “will only get worse” and could extend through the holiday season.
He explained that thousands more flights are likely to be canceled as air traffic controllers continue working without pay, with some seeking alternative employment to meet living costs.
Duffy further warned that air travel could dwindle to “a trickle” in the fortnight preceding Thanksgiving and highlighted that a “substantial” number of Americans might not reach home in time for the holiday.
The disruptions come after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an emergency directive to limit flight volume in order to alleviate pressure on fatigued controllers.
He added that the FAA is short between 1,000 and 2,000 controllers, with 15-20 retiring every day.
These shortages are expected to affect staffing even after the shutdown concludes, and he noted that pilots have reported controllers appearing stressed and less responsive.
By Tuesday, flight operations at multiple airports are projected to decrease by 6%, according to the media outlet.
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