Summary
Flights in the United States face cancellations due to a shortage of air traffic controllers, related to the ongoing government shutdown. The FAA has announced a plan to reduce domestic flights, while international flights remain unaffected. The shutdown, which started on October 1, has left many federal workers unpaid, including essential air traffic controllers.
Key Facts
- The U.S. government shutdown began on October 1 and is now the longest in history.
- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered airlines to cut domestic flights by up to 10% by mid-November.
- About 1,800 flights are being cancelled, reducing 268,000 available seats.
- Essential workers like 13,000 air traffic controllers are working without pay.
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated the flight reduction is to maintain safety, not politics.
- Forty major airports are affected by the cancellations.
- Federal workers might receive back pay after the shutdown ends, but there is uncertainty about the duration of the shutdown and the flight reductions.
