Travelers are experiencing significant disruptions as flight delays and cancellations rise across the United States. This surge in travel chaos follows a directive from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) aimed at addressing staffing challenges among air-traffic controllers amid a federal government shutdown. As controllers remain on duty without pay, the impact on air travel has been profound.
As of 7 a.m. on Saturday, more than 10,844 flights faced delays, and 1,110 cancellations were recorded nationwide, according to data from FlightAware. This includes delays of 10 flights and 13 cancellations at San Diego International Airport, the third busiest airport in California. The situation is expected to deteriorate further if the government shutdown continues, which has already led to significant operational strain.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced on Wednesday that flight capacity would be reduced at 40 high-volume airports starting Friday. This reduction is scheduled to escalate from 4% to 10% over the coming week, with cuts of 6%, 8%, and 10% planned for subsequent days. In light of this, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is also restricting commercial space launches and reentries to nighttime hours.
Airports affected include prominent hubs such as Los Angeles International Airport and Ontario International Airport, with the possibility of ripple effects impacting other locations not on the list. At Los Angeles International Airport, there were 20 flight delays and 19 cancellations reported as of Saturday morning. Ontario International Airport has so far remained unaffected.
The DOT emphasized safety as its primary concern, with Duffy stating, “This isn’t about politics — it’s about assessing the data and alleviating building risk in the system.” He reassured the public that flying remains safe, thanks to proactive measures being implemented.
Airlines are taking steps to inform passengers of potential disruptions. United Airlines has updated its schedule and is allowing customers flying between November 6 and 13 to request refunds or reschedule without fees. Southwest Airlines reassured customers that “the vast majority” would not experience issues but offered free adjustments or refunds for those with flights booked through Wednesday. Delta Air Lines also provided guidance for travelers on how to change or cancel flights without incurring penalties.
While Frontier Airlines anticipates that most of its flights will operate as scheduled, it has pledged to communicate effectively with passengers whose travel plans may be impacted by the capacity reductions. The airline noted that customers facing delays of more than three hours for domestic flights or six hours for international flights would be entitled to rebooking or refunds.
As the situation unfolds, travelers are advised to stay informed and check with their airlines for updates. The current environment underscores the challenges facing the aviation sector, particularly during a government shutdown that has left essential workers grappling with operational difficulties while working without pay.
