US Airlines Cancel Over 2,700 Flights Amid Government Shutdown
U.S. airlines canceled more than 2,700 flights on Sunday, mainly due to the ongoing government shutdown and the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) directive to reduce air traffic.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that if the shutdown continues into the busy Thanksgiving travel season, air traffic nationwide could "slow to a trickle."
Impact at Major Airports
The disruptions began on the third day of the shutdown, affecting 40 of the nation's busiest airports.
“Air traffic across the nation would slow to a trickle if the federal government shutdown lingered into the busy Thanksgiving travel holiday season.” — Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy
The FAA ordered flight reductions after some air traffic controllers, unpaid for nearly a month, stopped reporting to work.
Travelers Affected
- Passengers experienced long waits at check-in counters, security checkpoints, and gates at airports including Chicago O’Hare, Detroit Metropolitan, and LaGuardia in New York.
- American Eagle and American Airlines flights were prominently impacted.
- Close to 10,000 flight delays were reported on Sunday alone, according to FlightAware.
Photos depict travelers lining up at various checkpoints and grounded planes at major airports.
Author's summary: The federal government shutdown has led to U.S. airlines canceling thousands of flights and causing extensive travel delays, intensifying as the busy holiday season approaches.