The U.S. government shutdown has led to a shortage of air traffic controllers, causing significant disruptions to air travel. On Saturday (November 8), major airports across the United States continued to face the pressure of flight reductions and delays.
During the government shutdown, 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 security personnel were forced to work without pay, resulting in increased absenteeism. In consideration of air travel safety, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has implemented unprecedented measures to reduce air travel, ordering a 4% reduction in flight volume at 40 major airports nationwide. To comply with the FAA’s directive, major U.S. airlines began to cancel some flights starting from Friday (November 7).
In addition to flight cancellations, major airports are also grappling with flight delays. Data from the flight tracking website FlightAware showed that on Saturday, the number of flight delays in the U.S. had reached nearly 2,000. Airports most severely affected by flight delays include Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina, Orlando International Airport in Florida, and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.
Due to staffing shortages, flights to Newark Liberty International Airport are experiencing average delays of over two hours, while departing flights are delayed by an average of 45 minutes, with the expected delay time to increase further.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport, the airport with the highest number of flight cancellations in the U.S., noted that “understaffing in the air traffic control tower” is one of the many factors contributing to flight delays and cancellations.
According to FlightAware’s data, as of around 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time, the airport was the most severely affected by flight delays on Saturday in the U.S. The airport posted on social media platform X, stating that as the federal government shutdown prolongs, the possibility of flight disruptions will increase.
“We urge passengers to remain patient and understanding as we collectively address this unprecedented situation. Charlotte Douglas International Airport greatly appreciates our dedicated partners – particularly TSA and ATC staff – for their continued efforts to ensure the safe arrival of passengers at their destination,” the airport said.
On Saturday, major airlines continued to cancel flights. American Airlines canceled approximately 220 flights; United Airlines canceled 168 flights; Delta Air Lines canceled 158 flights; and Southwest Airlines’ flight cancellations were slightly below 100.
Flight cancellations or delays have sparked dissatisfaction among travelers. Business consultant Bruce Zimmer, who frequently travels for work, lamented, “This is a mess that we have to deal with.”
Another passenger, Dawn Morris, expressed her frustration, saying, “It’s terrible that the government is affecting travel like this.”
“The holidays are approaching. If this situation persists, it will eventually become a major issue,” Morris said.
“Now, you really need to be an informed traveler,” Clint Henderson, executive editor of travel website The Points Guy, told CNN on Saturday, offering the following advice:
– Track flights: Monitor flights not only from departure and destination airports but also check the origin airport as delays may occur there;
– Install airline apps and save their customer service phone numbers on your phone for assistance;
– If you have access to airport lounge membership, the staff there may also provide assistance;
– Ensure that all services you have booked are refundable;
– Allocate some buffer time for travel to the airport;
– Have a contingency plan, such as reserving a rental car.
Henderson suggested that with Thanksgiving and the holiday season approaching, even if the government shutdown ends soon, its impact may persist.
He advised travelers to consider alternative modes of transportation besides flying, such as taking Amtrak trains or driving to their destinations.
(This article references reports from Fox and CNN.)