US air travel: Transport Secretary warns of worsening flight crisis if shutdown continues

WASHINGTON: Air travel across the United States came to a standstill on Sunday as the ongoing government shutdown caused the largest disruption in recent history.

According to flight-tracking website FlightAware, more than 2,800 flights were cancelled and over 10,000 were delayed in a single day. Major airports in New York, Chicago, and Atlanta were among the hardest hit, with more than 200 flights cancelled at Atlanta’s main airport alone.

The industry group Airlines for America reported that since the beginning of October, more than four million passengers have been affected by flight cancellations and delays.

US Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy warned on Sunday that if the shutdown continues, the situation will worsen, and millions of Americans could be stranded during the holiday season.

He said air traffic controllers are currently working without pay, and many are seeking other jobs due to financial pressure, raising fears of more cancellations in the coming weeks.

Duffy added that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has temporarily reduced the number of flights to ease pressure on overworked controllers. However, the agency still faces a shortage of 1,000 to 2,000 controllers, with 15 to 20 retiring daily.

Reports suggest flight operations at several airports could drop by up to 6% by Tuesday if the shutdown continues.

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