US Airlines Cancel Over 2,700 Flights Amid Government Shutdown
U.S. airlines canceled more than 2,700 flights on Sunday, primarily due to the federal government shutdown and the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) directive to reduce air traffic. This reduction at 40 of the busiest airports across the country has intensified disruptions on the third day of the shutdown.
FAA ordered cuts after some unpaid air traffic controllers stopped reporting to work. As a result, nearly 10,000 flight delays were reported on Sunday alone, according to FlightAware, a flight tracking website.
Travelers Face Long Lines and Delays
Passengers experienced long wait times at major airports, including Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Detroit Metropolitan Airport, and LaGuardia Airport in New York’s Queens borough.
- Lines formed at American Airlines check-in counters at Chicago O’Hare.
- Long waits occurred at Detroit Metropolitan Airport security and check-in.
- Transportation Security Administration checkpoints at LaGuardia faced heavy congestion.
- American Eagle and American Airlines planes remained grounded at LaGuardia gates.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that air traffic would “slow to a trickle” if the shutdown continued into the Thanksgiving travel period.
The ongoing shutdown has significantly disrupted air travel during a critical holiday season, highlighting the impact on both passengers and airline operations.
Summary
The government shutdown has forced major U.S. airlines to cancel thousands of flights and caused widespread delays, with further disruptions threatened if the shutdown persists.