The ongoing federal government shutdown has plunged the US aviation sector into chaos, with over 1,000 flights canceled and nearly 4,000 delayed on Saturday, according to FlightAware. This marks a slight improvement from Friday’s 7,000 delays but underscores the growing strain on air travel as the shutdown enters its 39th day. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has implemented a 10% reduction in air traffic capacity at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports, citing fatigue among unpaid air traffic controllers. Newark Liberty International Airport experienced some of the longest delays, with arrivals averaging over four hours and departures delayed by 1.5 hours. Charlotte/Douglas International, Newark Liberty International, and Chicago O’Hare International were the most affected airports in terms of cancellations. Departures from major hubs like John F. Kennedy International, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, and La Guardia were also significantly delayed. The FAA has announced a gradual increase in flight reductions, starting at 4% on Friday and reaching 10% by November 14. The shutdown has also impacted private jets, with restrictions redirecting them to smaller airports to ease the burden on controllers. As Thanksgiving approaches, one of the busiest travel periods in the US, the situation is expected to worsen. The shutdown has left 1.4 million federal workers, including 64,000 Transportation Security Agency (TSA) agents, working without pay. Bipartisan negotiations are underway in Washington to resolve the impasse, but no agreement has been reached. The current shutdown is now the longest in US history, surpassing the 2018 shutdown under President Donald Trump, during which 10% of TSA staff chose not to work unpaid.
More than 1,000 flights cancelled as US air traffic cuts enter second day
