Flight cancellations and delays worsen as government shutdown drags on

"The pain Americans are facing at airports across the country is expected to get worse this week if Congress is unable to reach a deal to reopen the federal government. U.S. airlines canceled more than 1,500 flights Saturday and more than 2,900 Sunday to comply with an FAA order to reduce traffic as some air traffic controllers, who have gone unpaid for nearly a month, have stopped showing up for work."

"The delays and cancellations are likely to get worse as airlines are increasingly unable to reposition planes, pilots and flight attendants due to the air traffic controller shortage. The FAA implemented a 4% mandatory reduction in flights this weekend to manage staffing. That will increase to 6% on Tuesday and 10% reduction by this upcoming weekend. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Fox News Sunday that additional flight cuts of up to 20% might be needed."

"This is the second pay period that air traffic controllers have not received any pay for their work. The head of the air traffic controllers union, Nick Daniels, will hold a press conference Monday morning to address the impact the shutdown is having on them. The delays and cancellations are likely to get worse as airlines are increasingly unable to reposition planes, pilots and flight attendants due to the air traffic controller shortage."

Air travel across the United States is experiencing mounting cancellations and delays as air traffic controllers, unpaid during the federal government shutdown, miss work. Airlines canceled thousands of flights over the weekend and further cancellations were already scheduled for Monday and Tuesday. The FAA ordered mandatory flight reductions that ramp from 4% to 6% and 10% over the coming days, with officials warning cuts could reach 20%. Airports including Newark, Orlando, Chicago and Detroit reported significant departure delays. The shortage complicates repositioning of aircraft and crews and will prolong recovery even after operations resume.

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