Hold onto your boarding passes! 😱 A US federal government shutdown is triggering major flight cuts just as the holiday season heats up. Airlines have orders to slash up to 10% of flights at 40 major hubs—think Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston and LA. ✈️
Data from FlightAware shows 650+ flights canceled before Friday even began. American Airlines is axing around 220 flights daily, Delta about 170, and Southwest roughly 100. That’s a lot of grounded planes and long lines—over 5,500 delays and 160 cancellations reported on Thursday alone.
Why it’s happening: With Congress deadlocked past September 30, thousands of air traffic controllers, TSA agents and airport staff are working without pay. The FAA warns that understaffing risks safety, so they’re cutting flights preemptively. As FAA chief Bryan Bedford says, 'We're not waiting for a safety issue to manifest.'
Holiday travel hack: Thanksgiving is around the corner, and this usually sweet time for US trips could become a headache. Airlines say international and hub-to-hub routes should be OK, but local flights could face more cuts. Pro tip: keep your airline app alerts on 🔔 and power banks charged!
Lawmakers are trying to unlock funding, but the Senate failed again to break the shutdown. They’ll vote Friday—if at least eight Democrats switch sides, the government could reopen. Until then, expect delays and prepare for surprises at the airport!
Travel tip for South Asian and SE Asian jetsetters: settle for earlier check-ins, monitor your PNR on the go, and maybe pack extra snacks. Safe travels (and patience) to everyone making moves this season! 🌏✨
Reference(s):
U.S. set for travel chaos as flights cut due to govt shutdown
cgtn.com
