Airlines Prepare for Extended Flight Reductions

Major U.S. airlines are preparing for a third consecutive day of government-mandated flight cuts on Sunday after severe staffing shortages in air traffic control disrupted thousands of flights over the weekend.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initially instructed airlines to cut 4% of daily flights at 40 major airports starting Friday, citing safety concerns due to understaffed towers and centers. As the shutdown continues, reductions are expected to rise to 6% by Tuesday and 10% by 14 November.

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Impact on Flights and Passengers

Saturday alone saw 1,550 flights canceled and 6,700 delayed, compared with Friday’s 1,025 cancellations and 7,000 delays. Airports affected include major hubs in Atlanta, Newark, San Francisco, Chicago, and New York, among others.

Airline officials have expressed concern about how ongoing delays and cancellations will impact scheduling and passenger service if staffing shortages worsen.

The largest carriers — American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines — each canceled approximately 700 flights during the initial days of mandated reductions.

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Air Traffic Controllers Working Without Pay

During the government shutdown, roughly 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 security screeners have been working without pay. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that flight reductions could reach 20% if more controllers fail to report to work.

“I assess the data. We’re going to make decisions based on what we see in the airspace,” Duffy said.

Senator Ted Cruz also noted that pilots have filed over 500 safety reports about potential errors caused by fatigued air traffic controllers since the shutdown began, highlighting the safety risks associated with extended staffing shortages.

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Outlook for Travelers

Passengers are urged to check with their airlines for updates as flight cancellations and delays are expected to continue through the week. The ongoing shutdown creates uncertainty for holiday travel and business flights, with disruptions expected at major airports nationwide.

Travelers should anticipate delays, allow extra time for connections, and monitor FAA advisories for updates on the evolving situation.