The effects of the government shutdown in the US are now beginning to be seen quickly on air travel. Airlines also canceled more than 1,000 flights on Saturday. This is the second day that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered to slow down flight operations due to understaffing in air traffic control.
Why are flights being cancelled?
Due to the government shutdown, the air traffic controllers have not received their salaries for about a month. Several controllers began taking sick leave, further exacerbating the already understaffed problem. The employees who are working are having to do overtime six days a week that too without pay. The FAA has said that staffing shortages are critical, forcing it to reduce the number of flights.
How many flights were cancelled?
More than 1,000 flights were canceled on Friday. More than 950 flights are canceled on Saturday, although there is less traffic on Saturdays than normal days. The biggest impact was on Charlotte airport where 120 flights were cancelled. Major airports like Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Orlando, Newark were also heavily affected. The FAA said the cuts have just started with 4% of flights at the 40 busiest airports, will be further extended on Tuesday and will reach 10% by Friday.
trouble of passengers
- So far, international long-haul flights have not been significantly affected.
- Many passengers are rebooking on time, but the future situation is uncertain.
- Many travelers are facing hotel, extra fare and inconvenience.
- Some people have started canceling their flights because of the inconvenience.
- Rental car companies have seen a huge surge in one-way bookings—people are taking the road to their destinations.
The impact goes beyond air travel
Experts are warning that if the shutdown and FAA cuts continue, it will affect the entire US market.
- Impact on Air Cargo: About half of US air cargo is carried in the cargo section of passenger planes.
Low flight means:- Delays in shipments
- Goods are expensive
- Stores run out of inventory ahead of the holiday season
- Deep impact on tourism and hotel industry, the number of passengers will decrease if there are fewer flights.
- Business travel, meetings, conferences will be disrupted.
“This shutdown will affect not just flights, but the entire American economic system. Air cargo, business travel, tourism—every sector will be affected,” said expert Greg Riff.
When will the situation be fixed?
It is not yet clear when the government shutdown will end. If this goes on, the flight cuts will increase further. The Thanksgiving and Christmas travel seasons can be overwhelming. The FAA and airlines have appealed to passengers to exercise restraint and regularly check for flight updates.