Travelers across the U.S. are facing significant airline delays due to the federal government shutdown.
The shutdown, which began on October 1, took place after lawmakers could not agree on a budget for the next fiscal year. As a result, flights across the country are experiencing delays, negatively affecting the travel sector.
A notable number of air traffic controllers have been absent from their positions since the shutdown started, which has substantially contributed to the current delays faced by passengers.
Controller Shortages Intensify Delays
Air traffic controllers are classified as essential workers; roughly 13,000 of them are required to work without compensation during the shutdown, according to the Department of Transportation (DOT).
Over a two-day span from Monday to Tuesday, around 10,000 flights were delayed. On Wednesday, an additional 3,000 flights faced delays, with some possibly influenced by weather conditions.
Major cities like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Nashville, along with Washington, D.C., have seen significant disruptions at their airports.
These airports were already dealing with staffing challenges, and the shutdown has worsened the situation. Based on figures from May, only two out of several air traffic control facilities met the staffing targets set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Transportation Secretary Weighs In
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy indicated on Wednesday that the shortage of air traffic controllers has increased the likelihood of delays tenfold.
“In the past, we saw about a 5% delay rate due to staffing,” Duffy noted. “But recently, that figure jumped to 53%.”
He added, during an interview, that air traffic controllers who do not show up for work risk losing their jobs.
Airline executives and experts in travel safety have cautioned that ongoing issues could further compromise the air travel system.
“Air traffic controllers are not responsible for these shutdowns, and they don’t have the power to end them either,” stated Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association.
Shutdown’s Economic Impact
The recent week-long government closure has already cost the U.S. travel economy an estimated $1 billion, according to travel industry reports. The negative effects on the travel sector may persist if the shutdown continues.
“This situation is causing serious and lasting damage,” commented Jeff Freeman, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association.
