UPDATE: The House of Representatives is set to vote this afternoon on a critical funding bill aimed at ending the ongoing government shutdown. As the vote approaches, the impact on air travel across the United States is escalating, causing significant disruptions for thousands of travelers.
Earlier today, October 25, 2023, airports are reporting flight cancellations due to the shutdown. LaGuardia Airport and Newark Airport have both seen 4% of their flights canceled, while John F. Kennedy Airport is reporting 2% cancellations. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy indicated that commercial aviation has generally continued to operate over the past two days, though with only four staffing triggers reported on Tuesday, a steep decline from 81 on Saturday.
As the situation develops, LaGuardia has seen a troubling 11% cancellation rate, raising alarms about potential chaos if the shutdown continues. Next weekend is projected to bring severe disruptions, with Duffy warning that airlines may cease operations altogether by then. “I think we would see that significant disruption coming this next weekend, maybe as early as Friday,” Duffy emphasized.
The stakes are high: nearly 42 million Americans relying on SNAP benefits are left in limbo due to the shutdown, while federal workers are missing out on paychecks. Duffy noted that once the government reopens, air traffic controllers will start receiving payments within 24 to 48 hours and will be fully compensated within a week.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently enforcing a 6% reduction in operations, which is expected to rise to 10% on Friday if no resolution is reached. Even after the government reopens, officials warn it could take several days for flight operations to normalize, impacting millions of passengers.
Duffy also mentioned that the Department of Transportation will investigate air traffic controllers who have consistently failed to report to work during the shutdown.
With the vote looming and the situation on the ground becoming increasingly dire, the urgency for a resolution has never been more critical. Travelers are urged to stay informed and prepare for potential flight disruptions in the coming days.
As we await the House vote, the focus remains on the immediate effects on air travel and the broader implications of the shutdown on federal services. Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
