US Flight Disruptions Mount Amid Shutdown Cuts

US Flight Disruptions Mount Amid Shutdown Cuts

Airlines cancelled nearly 1,200 flights on Tuesday, marking the fifth straight day that cancellations have exceeded 1,000 as mandatory flight reductions continue due to safety concerns.

The Federal Aviation Administration last week instructed airlines to reduce daily flights by 4% at 40 major airports starting 7 November because of air traffic control staffing shortages. The reduction rose to 6% on Tuesday.

Flight cuts are scheduled to increase to 8% on Thursday and 10% on Friday, 14 November. Discussions are underway between airlines and the FAA on when and how the reductions may be eased, as the ongoing 42-day government shutdown shows signs of nearing an end.

On Monday night, the US Senate approved legislation to end the shutdown and fund the government through 30 January. The House of Representatives is expected to consider the measure on Wednesday.

Since the shutdown began on 1 October, air traffic controller absences have resulted in tens of thousands of cancellations and delays. Over the weekend alone, around 1.2 million passengers experienced significant disruption.

On Tuesday, airlines also delayed more than 1,300 flights, after cancelling 2,900 flights and delaying 9,600 on Monday, according to FlightAware.

Officials say staffing conditions improved on Tuesday, with the FAA reporting just one shortage-related issue, compared to more than two dozen on Monday.

The shutdown, the longest in US history, has required around 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration staff to work without pay. The FAA is currently about 3,500 controllers short of its staffing target, with many working extended overtime schedules even before the shutdown began.