With the holiday season around the corner, many Americans are bracing for the impact of a government shutdown that most Democratic senators have voted to prolong. This situation is leading to flight cancellations, cutbacks, and delays, all of which are likely to disrupt travel plans.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced an emergency directive to 40 airports nationwide, mandating a 4% reduction in flight schedules starting Friday. Over time, these limitations will escalate to a 10% cut. This will also affect travelers weeks ahead of Thanksgiving, as flight schedules shrink, partly due to air traffic controllers working without pay and becoming increasingly exhausted.
During a speech on the Senate floor, Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso brought up comments from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer from October, stating, “every day is getting better for us” as the shutdown continues. Barrasso posed a rhetorical question, “Who are we?”
“Certainly not American citizens,” he asserted, referring to passengers whose flights were grounded across the nation. He continued, “To safeguard our airlines and airspace, the FAA has instructed airlines to cut back on flights. This is the right choice. It’s affecting airports everywhere. This is the consequence of Democrats continuing to extend the government shutdown.”
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., who has supported the ongoing shutdown, expressed her belief on Friday that prioritizing safety is crucial. She agreed with the decision to reduce flight schedules.
“I’m relieved they’re taking measures they deem necessary for safety, but it’s imperative that Republicans take action to reopen the government and compensate all federal employees,” she stated.
The Senate has voted 14 times in just over a month on a funding package to reopen the government backed by Republicans, but only three Democrats have supported it so far. To reach the necessary 60 votes for passage, five more senators would need to join in favor.
By 12:30 p.m. Friday, there were already about 850 flight cancellations reported. Some of these disruptions may stem from external issues, like weather.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy noted to Breitbart News that safety measures were showing troubling signs, with planes and equipment positioned incorrectly, aircraft flying too close to one another, and a rise in complaints from pilots and controllers about “slow responses” and “increased stress.” He mentioned the potential need for further flight reductions, possibly up to 20%.
The days surrounding Thanksgiving are typically the busiest travel period of the year. Just the Sunday following Thanksgiving in 2024 saw a record of 3.09 million passengers passing through TSA.
Democratic Senator Andy Kim from New Jersey, who represents Newark Liberty International Airport, shared that air traffic controllers feel like “collateral damage” in the ongoing situation. Reflecting on his time as a federal employee during a previous shutdown, he recalled the financial strain it caused.
“It’s clearly putting immense pressure on people everywhere, including those in my district. We absolutely need to resolve this,” Kim expressed, noting how air traffic controllers feel left in the lurch. “I experienced that too, having to think about borrowing money during the shutdown, which was tough.”
House Transportation Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) commented on the FAA’s emergency measures, asserting, “The skies are absolutely safe.”
“However, expect delays. I’ll be flying back to Washington in a couple of days myself, having just returned two days ago, and I feel safe doing it,” Graves told Fox News. “Air traffic controllers are still out there doing their jobs, although it’s undoubtedly a stressful position—especially now.”
