During the government shutdown, flight cancellations have seen a rise, leading to over 1,000 delays in U.S. air travel. As of Thursday morning, approximately 1,094 flights were delayed and 49 were canceled, as reported by FlightAware.com.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has responded by reducing flight capacity at around 40 airports. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy appeared on “Fox & Friends” to indicate that travelers might continue to face delays. He noted, “So, does that mean there won’t be delays? No…if we have a staffing trigger and we don’t have enough controllers in aerospace with a 10% reduction, there could potentially still be delays. There could be additional delays.”
Many airlines are actively updating their policies to keep customers informed about possible changes to their itineraries.
United Airlines
In a statement, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby reassured employees that the long-haul international flights and flights between their hubs are unaffected. However, the airline is offering refunds to those who prefer not to fly during the restrictions, even if their flights remain unchanged. Travelers will receive notifications about any changes via the airline’s app, website, or through push notifications.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines mentioned on its website that they are assessing how the ongoing restrictions will impact their flight schedule and will reach out to customers directly with updates as soon as possible. The airline also reminded passengers that cancellations must be made at least 10 minutes before the scheduled departure.
American Airlines
American Airlines expressed optimism, stating that most of its customer travel remains unaffected. However, they will inform customers if any changes occur in their flight schedules. The airline is also urging Congress to take action given the pressure on the airline industry amidst the shutdown.
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines announced that they will waive change or cancellation fees for flights booked between November 6 and November 12. They are offering travel credits for any altered itineraries. Frontier’s CEO even took to Instagram to suggest that travelers planning to fly in the immediate future should consider booking a backup ticket with another airline.
As the situation approaches Thanksgiving, Duffy warned that a prolonged shutdown would lead to more complications. He said, “If we are still closed even after Thanksgiving, we’re going to be in a tough situation.” Travelers are advised to remain cautious when making plans, as further disruptions could arise.
