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Airlines across the United States cancelled over 1,200 flights on Friday after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered schedule reductions to ease pressure on air traffic controllers, many of whom are working without pay due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.
Forty major airports, including Atlanta, Denver, Newark, Chicago, Houston, and Los Angeles, were affected. The FAA said the decision followed a rise in air traffic controllers calling in sick because of financial hardship from missed paychecks. Initial reductions of four percent were implemented, with warnings that cuts could increase to 10 percent next week if Congress fails to agree on a funding deal.
While airlines said international routes were mostly unaffected, passengers faced long queues at security checkpoints, extensive delays, and unexpected cancellations. American Airlines reported nearly 220 cancelled flights, Delta about 170, and Southwest around 100. Flight tracking service FlightAware also recorded thousands of delays, with airports such as Boston, Chicago O’Hare, Atlanta, and Reagan National reporting average delays of more than an hour.
At Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport, travellers described scenes of confusion as security lines stretched across terminals, with some passengers resting on the floor while waiting. The disruptions underscored the growing impact of the nearly six-week-long government shutdown, which has forced many federal workers either to work without pay or to take unpaid leave.
With the busy Thanksgiving travel period approaching, airlines have warned that cancellations may increase if the shutdown continues. Passengers expressed anger and disappointment as their plans were upended. “This is hurting a lot of people,” said Rhonda, 65, at LaGuardia Airport. Another traveller, retiree Werner Buchi, cautioned, “This will get serious if things drag on to Thanksgiving.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sought to reassure the public, stating that air travel remains safe despite the operational challenges.
Forty major airports, including Atlanta, Denver, Newark, Chicago, Houston, and Los Angeles, were affected. The FAA said the decision followed a rise in air traffic controllers calling in sick because of financial hardship from missed paychecks. Initial reductions of four percent were implemented, with warnings that cuts could increase to 10 percent next week if Congress fails to agree on a funding deal.
While airlines said international routes were mostly unaffected, passengers faced long queues at security checkpoints, extensive delays, and unexpected cancellations. American Airlines reported nearly 220 cancelled flights, Delta about 170, and Southwest around 100. Flight tracking service FlightAware also recorded thousands of delays, with airports such as Boston, Chicago O’Hare, Atlanta, and Reagan National reporting average delays of more than an hour.
Travellers face growing disruption amid shutdown
At Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport, travellers described scenes of confusion as security lines stretched across terminals, with some passengers resting on the floor while waiting. The disruptions underscored the growing impact of the nearly six-week-long government shutdown, which has forced many federal workers either to work without pay or to take unpaid leave.
With the busy Thanksgiving travel period approaching, airlines have warned that cancellations may increase if the shutdown continues. Passengers expressed anger and disappointment as their plans were upended. “This is hurting a lot of people,” said Rhonda, 65, at LaGuardia Airport. Another traveller, retiree Werner Buchi, cautioned, “This will get serious if things drag on to Thanksgiving.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sought to reassure the public, stating that air travel remains safe despite the operational challenges.
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