Flights Grounded: US Air Traffic Chaos Worsens as Shutdown Hits 39 Days
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The US air travel system is in chaos as the government shutdown enters its 39th day, causing widespread flight delays and cancellations. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported staffing shortages at 42 airport towers and centers, affecting 12 major US cities, including Atlanta, Newark, San Francisco, Chicago, and New York. At least 6,000 flights were delayed on Saturday, following 1,025 cancellations and 7,000 delays on Friday. Airline officials expressed alarm over the system's ability to function if the staffing issues worsen. The FAA has instructed airlines to cut 4% of daily flights at 40 major airports, with reductions rising to 6% on Tuesday and 10% by November 14. The cuts have resulted in over 700 flight cancellations from the four largest carriers: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines. The FAA has attributed the air traffic absences to the government shutdown, which has left air traffic controllers unpaid for weeks. The absence of air traffic controllers has prompted the FAA to impose ground delay programs at nine airports, with delays averaging 282 minutes at Atlanta, one of the busiest US airports. Senator Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, has pointed to the shutdown as the cause of air traffic control concerns, citing over 500 voluntary safety reports filed by pilots due to mistakes made by air traffic controllers due to fatigue. Bipartisan talks to end the shutdown have taken a positive turn, but no deals have been announced. The Senate is set to hold a rare Sunday session to try and reach a resolution. The shutdown has also led to increased absenteeism among 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 security screeners, who have been forced to work without pay.
