As the U.S. government shutdown drags on, air traffic faces a critical challenge just before the Thanksgiving holiday. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has warned that the situation could lead to air traffic in the country slowing to a trickle, with fewer flights arriving and departing as many air traffic controllers remain unpaid and have stopped showing up for work.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has already begun to implement significant flight cuts at some of the nation's largest airports. Starting last Friday, the reductions commenced at 4% and are expected to rise to 10% by November 14, spanning hours from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Throughout this period, all commercial airlines are expected to be impacted.
Flight tracking data revealed that more than 1,700 flights were canceled by Sunday afternoon, and nearly 5,000 flights faced delays, leading to chaos in multiple airports across the nation, especially at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport.
In conversations with the media, Secretary Duffy emphasized that staffing shortages at key airports like Newark and LaGuardia led to extended wait times, averaging about 75 minutes for departures. He expressed deep concern about the continued absence of air traffic controllers, predicting that more reductions could be necessary if controllers remain unpaid for another pay period.
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport reported minimal traffic, with few travelers present amid the widespread cancellations. Duffy has suggested that the number of available controllers might drop further, with reports indicating that up to 15 or 20 controllers are retiring daily due to the ongoing challenges of the work environment exacerbated by the shutdown.
While some political factions argue that the cancellations are a maneuver within the broader negotiation of federal funding, Duffy responded firmly, stating that he was prioritizing safety by making necessary flight cuts amid a declining workforce. The growing uncertainty surrounding air traffic control staffing is raising significant alarm as Americans prepare for holiday travel and family reunions.
