Air travelers should expect worsening cancellations and delays this week even if the US government shutdown ends, as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rolled out deeper cuts to flights at 40 of the nation’s major airports Tuesday, officials said.
The FAA ordered domestic airlines last week to drop 4% of their flights at the airports in question, saying absences and signs of stress among traffic controllers made it imperative to act in the name of public safety. After already canceling more than 7,900 since Friday, the goal for cutting flights is set to rise to 6% on Tuesday – and again to 10% on Friday.
Monday saw airlines scrap over 2,300 flights and more than 1,000 flights set for takeoff Tuesday, all due to the restrictions. Though it was unclear exactly how many additional flights would need to be canceled Tuesday, with the average cancellation rate over the last several days already exceeding the FAA’s requirement, according to aviation analytics company Cirium. By about 5am ET Tuesday, more than 1,100 flights had been canceled, and more than 540 had been delayed.
The FAA on Monday had also expanded its flight restrictions, barring business jets and many private flights from using a dozen airports already under commercial flight limits.
Unpaid for more than a month, some air traffic controllers have begun calling out of work, citing stress and the need to take on second jobs.
That has continued leading to flight delays, including one of about five hours for arriving flights Monday evening at Chicago O’Hare international airport, where wintry weather added to staffing-related disruptions earlier in the day. The FAA warned that staffing at over a dozen towers and control centers could delay planes departing for Phoenix, San Diego, the New York area and Houston, among other cities.
Freezing weather in parts of the country on Tuesday could cause further delays and cancellations.
The Senate passed legislation Monday to reopen the government, but the bill still needs to clear the House and final passage could be days away. Sean Duffy, the transportation secretary, made clear last week that flight cuts will remain until the FAA sees staffing levels stabilize at its air traffic control facilities.
Many planes also aren’t where they’re supposed to be, which could slow the airlines’ return to normal operations even after the FAA lifts the order, said Mike Taylor, who leads research on airports and airlines at JD Power.
Todd Walker said he missed his mom’s 80th birthday when his flight was canceled over the weekend.
“All of this has real negative consequences for millions of Americans, and it’s 100% unnecessary and avoidable,” he said.
The FAA had come under criticism after its original order only applied to a very small subsection of private planes. But some want to see even more done.
Patriotic Millionaires, a group of wealthy Americans pushing for more progressive taxes, is calling for all private jets to be grounded during the shutdown.
“Rich people are taking their joyrides while average Americans don’t make it to grandma’s bedside in time,” said Erica Payne, its founder and president.
She added that none of its members that still fly private have reported cancellations or delays since the FAA’s order took effect.
Tuesday marks the second missed payday for controllers.
It’s unclear how quickly controllers might be paid once the shutdown ends – it took more than two months to receive full back pay after the 35-day shutdown that ended in 2019, said Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association.
Donald Trump on Monday pressured controllers to “get back to work, NOW!!!” on social media. The president called for a $10,000 bonus for those who’ve stayed on the job and suggested docking pay for those who haven’t.
Daniels said the shutdown has made controllers’ demanding jobs even more stressful, leading to fatigue and increased risks. He said the number who are retiring or quitting is “growing” by the day.
