More than 800 flights within the United States have been axed as a result of a government shutdown directive that mandated 40 major airports to scale down operations. This move has led to widespread disruption for millions of travelers who are now grappling with extensive queues and significant delays. The decision, affecting exclusively domestic flights, was taken due to reports of air traffic controllers experiencing fatigue, as stated by the head of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
A total of 1.4 million federal employees, including air traffic controllers and park rangers, are either working without pay or are on mandatory leave because the U.S. Congress has not yet reached an agreement on a funding budget.
Prominent airports such as those in Chicago, Atlanta, New York, and Washington DC are among those impacted by the service cutbacks. These cancellations come as U.S. Vice President JD Vance has issued a warning about an impending “aviation emergency.”
Vance emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, “The shutdown has transitioned from a comedy to a tragedy, and its repercussions as a national emergency are being felt by every senator and congressman who refuses to reopen the government.”
The reduction in flights will be implemented gradually, starting at 4% of domestic flights on Friday, increasing to 6% by November 11, 8% by November 13, and reaching a maximum of 10% by November 14.
