Chaos Grips US Airports Before Flight Cuts
Travelers faced growing turmoil on Thursday morning as over 800 flights across the United States were delayed or canceled. The situation unfolded less than a day before the White House begins reducing up to 10 percent of daily flights amid the longest government shutdown in the nation’s history.
By 7:30 a.m. Eastern time, there were already 269 flight cancellations and 576 delays, signaling the disruption passengers should expect in the coming days. Major airports across the country faced significant strain from mounting delays and staffing shortages.
White House Flight Reduction Plan
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced it will lower air traffic by 10 percent across 40 high-volume markets starting Friday. The measure aims to preserve travel safety as air traffic controllers continue working under pressure during the shutdown.
Experts estimate the reduction could impact up to 1,800 flights daily, affecting more than 268,000 seats nationwide.
Airlines Respond to the Crisis
Several airlines have begun notifying passengers that their plans may be disrupted. Some carriers are allowing travelers, including those with non-refundable tickets, to voluntarily cancel their trips for full refunds.
Controllers Under Heavy Strain
Air traffic controllers have been working without pay since the shutdown began on October 1, many serving six days a week and taking on mandatory overtime.
If the shutdown continues through next Tuesday, controllers will miss their second paycheck, further deepening concerns about performance and safety within the aviation system.
Author’s Summary
The ongoing government shutdown has severely disrupted U.S. air travel, prompting the FAA to cut flights while unpaid controllers struggle to maintain safety and capacity.