Last Saturday alone, more than 2,200 flights were cancelled as the ongoing U.S. government shutdown continues to disrupt air travel nationwide. The Trump administration recently announced a 4% reduction in domestic flights at 40 major airports due to severe staffing shortages. If the shutdown continues past this Friday, that number is expected to increase to 10%
Fortunately, the disruption occurs during the year's slower travel period, but that relief will be short-lived. Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner, and the strain on the airline industry will only continue to rise as the holiday season comes upon us.
Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy warned that commercial air travel in the United States could soon be reduced to "a trickle" as the number of air traffic controllers continues to fall. According to Airlines for America, which represents the largest U.S. airline industry, 71% of recent flight delays are due to staffing shortages among air traffic controllers.
Despite the shutdown, air traffic controllers and airport security are expected to continue showing up to work, without pay. Many have been forced to take on a second job just to make ends meet.
As the country navigates what has become the largest government shutdown in U.S. history, the outlook for travelers remains unknown. With the holiday season fast approaching, it's unclear how many Americans will actually make it home to spend time with their loved ones.
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