Summary
U.S. airlines canceled over 2,100 flights on a Sunday due to staffing shortages caused by the federal government shutdown, which has affected air traffic controllers. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that air traffic might slow even more if the shutdown continues into the Thanksgiving holiday travel season.
Key Facts
- More than 2,100 flights were canceled on a Sunday due to the government shutdown.
- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has cut flights at 40 major airports because many air traffic controllers, unpaid for nearly a month, are not working.
- There were over 7,000 flight delays on the same day, with previous cancellations on Friday and Saturday.
- The FAA's flight reduction started at 4% and will increase to 10% by November 14.
- Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta had over 570 cancellations, the most in the country.
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that air travel could slow significantly if the shutdown continues, especially during Thanksgiving.
- Some air traffic controllers are retiring faster because of the shutdown, according to Duffy.
- The Department of Defense offered military air traffic controllers to help, but it's uncertain if they can work with civilian systems.
