Over 2,700 flights were canceled by U.S. airlines on Sunday as U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy cautioned that air traffic nationwide could significantly reduce if the federal government shutdown extends into the busy Thanksgiving travel period.
The slowdown at 40 of the busiest airports in the country has now entered its third day, causing more widespread disruptions. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandated flight reductions at major airports because some unpaid air traffic controllers have been absent from work for nearly a month.
On Sunday alone, there were over 10,000 flight delays, marking the highest disruptions in a single day since the government shutdown commenced, according to FlightAware, a website monitoring air travel disruptions. More than 1,000 flights were canceled on Friday and over 1,500 on Saturday.
The FAA implemented reductions starting at four percent on Friday, set to increase to 10 percent by November 14. These reductions are in place from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time and will affect all commercial airlines.
Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta experienced the most cancellations on Sunday, totaling more than 570, followed by Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey with at least 265 cancellations. Weather conditions in Georgia may have also played a role, as the National Weather Service office in Atlanta issued warnings of widespread freezing conditions until Tuesday.
Over 1,000 flights were canceled in the U.S. with thousands more delayed due to the Federal Aviation Administration grappling with the effects of the 37-day government shutdown leaving air traffic controllers without pay.
Traveler Kyra March finally arrived at Hartsfield-Jackson on Sunday after a series of delays the previous day.
“I was traveling from Tampa, and that flight was repeatedly delayed, eventually canceled and rebooked. I had to stay at a hotel and return this morning,” she recounted.
The FAA reported that staffing shortages at Newark and LaGuardia Airport in New York were causing average departure delays of about 75 minutes.
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport in Michigan was notably quiet on Sunday morning, with minimal security checkpoint wait times, as the departure and arrival boards filled with delays and cancellations.
‘More controllers aren’t coming to work’
Earlier on Sunday, Duffy cautioned that U.S. air traffic could see a significant decline if the shutdown continues. He mentioned that additional flight reductions, possibly up to 20 percent