Summary
Thousands of flights have been canceled or delayed due to staffing shortages linked to a government shutdown and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) orders to reduce flight operations at major U.S. airports. The disruptions have primarily affected large airport hubs like Atlanta, New York, and Chicago. Ongoing political disagreements about government funding have contributed to the shutdown, impacting air traffic control staffing.
Key Facts
- The ongoing government shutdown is causing significant flight delays and cancellations.
- The FAA has instructed airlines to cut flight operations by up to 10 percent by November 14 due to staffing issues.
- Major airports affected include Atlanta, New York area airports, Chicago, and San Francisco.
- FlightAware’s "Misery Map" is a tool used to track disruptions at these major airports.
- On November 8, at noon ET, there were 720 flight delays and 184 cancellations across U.S. airports.
- Air traffic controllers are working without pay, causing increased absences and mandatory overtime.
- Political tensions between Democrats and Republicans continue over resolving the government shutdown.
- Travelers are advised to check their flight status, anticipate longer wait times, and consider flexible travel plans.
