Post by : Meena Ariff

On Friday, the ongoing federal government shutdown led to the cancellation of more than 1,200 flights in the United States, after the Trump administration implemented reductions to alleviate strain on unpaid air traffic controllers.

This disruption impacts 40 major airports, including critical hubs such as Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston, and Los Angeles. The cutbacks are being introduced gradually, starting with a 4% decrease in flights, which may escalate to 10% next week if the budget deadlock persists.

The shutdown, now approaching six weeks, has left numerous federal agencies paralyzed since funding expired on October 1, forcing many government workers to either take unpaid leave or work without compensation.

“This situation is frustrating. We should not have reached this point,” remarked American Airlines CEO Robert Isom, urging lawmakers to find a resolution.

Friday's cancellations accounted for roughly 3% of all U.S. flights, although 94% of scheduled flights still operated on time. Major airports like Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta, O’Hare in Chicago, Denver, and Phoenix felt the brunt of the cancellations.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy attributed the ongoing shutdown to Democrats, pressing them to approve a temporary funding bill. The legislative standstill persists with Republican control of Congress and Democrat resistance to budget cuts impacting healthcare.

Passengers nationwide are feeling the repercussions, with traveler Werner Buchi at New York's LaGuardia Airport expressing concerns, stating, “This will become a serious issue if this drags on until Thanksgiving.”

Airlines are adjusting their schedules:

• American Airlines: 220 daily flight cancelations

• Delta Air Lines: Approximately 170 flights canceled

• Southwest Airlines: Nearly 100 flights scrapped

On Thursday alone, thousands of flights experienced delays, with extensive lines at security checkpoints reported across the country.

Despite these challenges, officials reaffirm that air travel remains secure. “It is safe to fly today, tomorrow, and in the following days due to the proactive measures we are taking,” Duffy reassured the traveling public.

As the Thanksgiving travel period nears, stress levels are rising among unpaid air traffic controllers and airport personnel, some of whom are considering secondary employment or are calling in sick.

#Global News