US Airlines Cancel 1,330 Flights on Saturday Amid Government Shutdown
The US airline industry is facing significant disruptions as the federal government shutdown continues, affecting air traffic control personnel and safety. On Saturday, American airlines canceled 1,330 flights, marking the second day of reductions imposed by the government nationwide.
Background
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requested airlines to reduce daily flights by 4% starting Friday at 40 major airports due to safety concerns related to air traffic controllers. The staffing shortage is caused by 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 security agents working without pay for 39 days, resulting in a significant increase in absenteeism.
Potential Further Disruptions
The FAA warned that flight reductions could reach 6% on Tuesday and 10% by November 14 if the situation persists. On Saturday, staffing issues were reported at 25 airports and a control center, causing delays in at least 12 major US cities, including Atlanta, Newark, San Francisco, Chicago, and New York. Approximately 5,450 flights were delayed on Saturday, following 7,000 delayed and 1,025 canceled flights on Friday.
Government Response
US Transportation Secretary Sean Doocey stated that 20% reductions in air traffic could be necessary if more controllers do not report to work. "I'm evaluating the data. We'll make decisions based on the situation in the airspace," he said.
Political Context
This shutdown occurs as Republicans seek to pass a "clean" government funding bill in the Senate, while Democrats blame the impasse on the Republican refusal to negotiate healthcare funding, which is set to expire at the end of the year. The ongoing shutdown is expected to continue causing disruptions to the airline industry and air travel in the US.
