U.S. Air Travel Faces Long Road to Recovery After Shutdown
Hey everyone, here’s what’s happening with air travel right now. Even if the government shutdown ends soon, getting flights back to normal is going to take a while—possibly months. The Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA, has been enforcing an emergency order that reduces flight capacity at 40 major U.S. airports by up to 10%. Starting this week, airlines are required to cut 6% of flights, and cancellations must be made at least seven days before the scheduled departure. Once a flight is canceled, it can’t just be easily reinstated, which has created a complex situation for airlines trying to manage schedules.
Eash Sundaram, who used to oversee technology at JetBlue, explained that airlines are going to feel the effects of these cancellations for weeks, and even after controllers return, recovery will be gradual. Pilot and aviation consultant Kit Darby noted that even if air traffic controllers come back immediately, it could take a week or two for flight schedules to stabilize. The timing is critical because Thanksgiving travel is just around the corner.
Also Read:One major concern is that not all controllers may return to work right away. Many FAA employees who have worked through the shutdown haven’t received back pay, and some have taken other jobs to make ends meet. During the last shutdown in 2019, it took months for back pay to reach employees, and this history is influencing decisions now. The union representing air traffic controllers says some members are retiring or resigning rather than returning to a job vulnerable to shutdowns. In fact, retirements have jumped from four to about 20–25 per day since the shutdown began.
The shortage of controllers isn’t new. Even before the shutdown, the U.S. system was short by more than 3,000 workers. FAA recruitment efforts had been successful earlier this year, with over 2,000 new hires, and training classes were busier than ever. But now, uncertainty over pay and shutdowns has led some trainees to drop out, and the funding for those still in school is running low.
Air travel disruptions are already being felt. On Tuesday morning alone, over 1,100 flights were canceled, and more than 500 were delayed. Chicago O’Hare and other major hubs have been hit hardest, and wintry weather hasn’t helped matters. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that if a deal isn’t reached soon, air traffic could slow to a trickle, especially during the busy holiday travel season.
So, even if the shutdown ends this week, travelers should expect delays and cancellations for a while. Rebuilding the system will require time, coordination, and, most importantly, the return of experienced air traffic controllers. Until then, patience is key for anyone planning a flight in the coming weeks.
Air travel is slowly getting back on its feet, but the ripple effects of the shutdown will be felt long after government offices reopen.
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