Thanksgiving Travel Trouble: Air Traffic Woes Hit Hard

Government Shutdown Worsens Air Travel Issues

More than 2,100 flights were canceled on Sunday due to the government shutdown. Many air traffic controllers are not showing up for work as they have not been paid in almost a month.

FAA Implements Flight Cuts

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has started reducing flights at busy airports. The cuts began at 4% on Friday and will increase to 10% by November 14. This means fewer flights will take off and land, affecting all airlines.

Airports Hit Hard

Some airports are experiencing more cancellations than others:

Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta: Over 570 cancellations on Sunday.
Newark Liberty in New Jersey: At least 265 cancellations.
Weather is also causing issues in some areas.

Travelers Feel the Impact

Kyra March had a tough time getting to Atlanta. Her flight from Tampa was delayed and then canceled. She had to stay in a hotel and try again the next day.

Staff Shortages Cause Delays

The FAA says staff shortages are causing big delays. At Newark and LaGuardia in New York, flights are leaving about 75 minutes late on average. Detroit Airport was quiet on Sunday, but the boards showed many delays and cancellations.

Warning of Worse Conditions

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that things could get worse. If the shutdown continues, more flight cuts might be needed. He said up to 20% of flights could be canceled as more controllers retire early.

Possible Solution?

Duffy mentioned a possible solution: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth offered military air traffic controllers. However, it is unclear if they can work on civilian systems.

Political Blame Game

Some people think the flight cuts are a political move. But Duffy says they are necessary for safety. He blames Democrats for the situation. Airlines for America says staffing issues caused most delays on Saturday.

Serious Impact on Passengers

Since October 1, controller shortages have affected over 4 million passengers. This shows how serious the problem is. The government has been short on controllers for years, and the shutdown is making it worse.