On Saturday, US airlines faced significant disruptions as they canceled more than 1,000 flights, marking the second consecutive day of cancellations due to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) order aimed at reducing air traffic during the ongoing government shutdown. While the impact on major airports has not yet led to widespread chaos, the situation is exacerbating the effects of what has now become the nation’s longest federal shutdown.
“We all travel. We all have somewhere to be,” stated Emmy Holguin, 36, who was in Miami on Saturday preparing to fly to the Dominican Republic to visit family. “I’m hoping that the government can take care of this.” As the shutdown continues, analysts warn that the repercussions will extend beyond air travel, particularly as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches. There are growing concerns about the potential impact on cities and businesses that depend on tourism, as well as possible delays in shipping that could affect the availability of holiday items in stores.
According to FlightAware, a website that monitors flight disruptions, both days of the FAA's traffic slowdown have seen over 1,000 flights canceled. On Saturday, which is typically a slower travel day, the airport in Charlotte, North Carolina, was the hardest hit, with 120 flights canceled by midday. Other major airports, including those in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, and Orlando, Florida, also reported significant disruptions. Staffing shortages, particularly in Charlotte and Newark, New Jersey, have further complicated air traffic flow.
While not all cancellations are directly linked to the FAA's order, they represent a worrying trend that could worsen in the coming days. The FAA has implemented reductions affecting all commercial airlines, starting with a 4% reduction of flights at 40 targeted airports, with plans to increase that to 10% by Friday. US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has indicated that additional flight cuts may be necessary if the government shutdown persists and more air traffic controllers are unable to work.
Air traffic controllers have been working without paychecks for nearly a month due to the ongoing shutdown, leading many to call in sick and exacerbating already existing staffing shortages. According to the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), most controllers are required to work mandatory overtime six days a week without compensation, and some are resorting to second jobs to make ends meet.
Despite the chaos, many travelers were relieved to find that airlines managed to keep most flights on schedule on Friday, and those whose flights were canceled were often able to rebook quickly. However, longer international flights remain uninterrupted, leaving uncertainty about future cancellations. Heather Xu, 46, who was in Miami after a cruise and on her way home to Puerto Rico, expressed her frustrations: “Travel is stressful enough. Then you put these disruptions in place and it really makes everything more challenging.”
Rental car companies reported a surge in one-way reservations on Friday, with some travelers opting to cancel their flights altogether due to the disruptions.
The air traffic slowdown may also lead to higher prices in stores, as nearly half of all US air freight is transported in the cargo holds of passenger aircraft. Major flight disruptions could escalate shipping costs, which would ultimately be passed on to consumers. Patrick Penfield, a professor of supply chain practice at Syracuse University, notes that the ongoing shutdown could have far-reaching consequences across various sectors, including tourism and manufacturing.
Greg Raiff, CEO of Elevate Aviation Group, emphasized the cascading effects of the shutdown: “This shutdown is going to impact everything from cargo aircraft to people getting to business meetings to tourists being able to travel. It’s going to hit hotel taxes and city taxes. There’s a cascading effect that results from this thing.”