The ongoing government shutdown in the United States, now marking its 40th day, continues to severely disrupt air travel across the nation. As the Thanksgiving holiday looms, thousands of passengers are experiencing significant delays and cancellations due to a shortage of federal workers at airports.
According to FlightAware, a flight-tracking website, over 1,181 flights within, into, or out of the United States were canceled on Sunday, with an additional 871 flights experiencing delays. This widespread disruption has left travelers in a state of frustration and uncertainty.
Newark Liberty International Airport has been hit the hardest. A ground stop has been imposed, preventing hundreds of flights from landing and holding all inbound flights at their departure airports until at least 8 a.m. on Sunday. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has indicated that more than 500 flights destined for Newark have been delayed, and there is a possibility that the ground stop may be extended.
Chicago O’Hare International Airport is also grappling with significant delays. Flights scheduled to land there are currently facing an average delay of 1 hour and 22 minutes, as reported by FlightAware.
As the shutdown persists, travelers are advised to stay informed about their flight statuses and prepare for possible disruptions. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing efforts to manage the impact on air travel during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
Meanwhile, flights due to land at Chicago O’Hare International Airport are experiencing an average delay of 1 hour 22 minutes, according to FlightAware.
Lengthy delays are also impacting Anchorage International, with an average added wait time of 42 minutes, which is increasing by the minute.
It comes as the government shutdown stretched into its 40th day on Sunday amid a fight over funding which has also impacted food assistant for millions of Americans and left 1.4 million federal workers, including those at airports, without pay.
Major delays are still plaguing US airports as the government shutdown rages on, with thousands of travelers hit with major delays. A ground-stop has been issued for Newark Liberty International Airport (pictured) in New Jersey, impacting hundreds of flights Sunday
It comes as the government shutdown stretched into its 40th day on Sunday amid a fight over funding which left federal workers, including those at airports, without pay. (Pictured: Travelers line up amid major delays due to the shutdown at George Bush Airport in Houston)
With no end to the Senate stalemate in sight and Thanksgiving coming up on November 27, the travel chaos is likely to worsen in the coming weeks if lawmakers cannot come to an agreement to end the shutdown.
More than 13,000 air traffic controllers have been required to work without pay since October 1.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy spoke about the delays last week, blaming Democrats for the stalemate.
‘I’ve been talking to air traffic controllers and there really is frustration. There’s a shutdown right now, the democrats are focusing on illegal healthcare,’ he told ABC News.
‘They don’t get paid as air traffic controllers. Those are burning frustrations, like in the rest of the country.’
Duffy added that ‘safety is his top priority’ and the administration will ‘delay’ and ‘cancel any kind of flight across the national airspace to make sure people are safe.’
‘There is a level of risk when we have a controller doing two jobs instead of one. We manage and look out for it,’ he said.
The Ground Delay Program – an air traffic management plan – is expected to be implemented at Newark if delays continue.
The probability of a ground stop extension on Sunday was ranked at ‘medium level,’ meaning the safety measure may remain in place for a few more hours.
With no end to the Senate stalemate in sight and Thanksgiving just around the corner, the travel chaos is likely to worsen in the coming weeks if lawmakers cannot end the shutdown
The government shutdown began on October 1, when Republicans and Democrats could not agree to pass a bill funding federal services for the coming months.
The expiring Obamacare subsidies are the key sticking point. Democrats want the bill to include an extension of expiring tax credits which make health insurance cheaper for millions of Americans, and for a boost to Medicaid.
Minority Leader of the Senate Chuck Schumer has repeatedly said that the party would be willing to negotiate an end to the shutdown should Republicans come to the table and talk about extending subsidies.
However, Republicans have said they want to negotiate the health insurance subsidies separately.
Republicans hold 53 of the 100 seats in the Senate and need Democratic votes to pass any funding deal.
President Donald Trump has warned that he will start mass layoffs of federal workers if negotiations continue to stall.
