Travel turmoil hits as flights halt at US' busiest airport
Ongoing Delays at US Airports Due to Government Shutdown
Major delays continue to affect US airports as the government shutdown enters its 40th day. This ongoing situation has caused significant disruptions in air travel, with thousands of flights impacted due to a shortage of federal workers at airports. The chaos is particularly concerning as Thanksgiving approaches, adding to the stress for travelers.
According to FlightAware, on Sunday, 1,181 flights within, into, or out of the United States were canceled, and 871 were delayed. Newark Liberty International Airport is among the worst affected, with a ground stop issued that has prevented hundreds of flights from landing. This means all inbound flights are being held at their departure airport until at least 8am on Sunday. Over 500 flights scheduled to land at Newark have been held, and the ground stop could be extended, according to the FAA.
Flights arriving at Chicago O'Hare International Airport are also facing substantial delays, with an average wait time of 1 hour and 22 minutes. Anchorage International Airport is experiencing delays as well, with an average added wait time of 42 minutes, which continues to increase.
The government shutdown, which began on October 1, has stretched into its 40th day, with no end in sight. This stalemate has not only affected air travel but also impacted food assistance for millions of Americans. Additionally, 1.4 million federal workers, including those at airports, have not received their pay.
With no resolution to the Senate deadlock and Thanksgiving just days away, the travel chaos is expected to worsen if lawmakers fail to reach an agreement. More than 13,000 air traffic controllers have been working without pay since October 1. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy recently spoke about the delays, blaming Democrats for the stalemate. He stated that frustration is high among air traffic controllers, who are not being paid despite their critical role in ensuring safety.
Duffy emphasized that safety is his top priority and mentioned that the administration would delay or cancel flights if necessary to ensure people's safety. He noted that there is a level of risk when controllers are doing two jobs instead of one, but the administration is managing these risks carefully.
If delays persist, the Ground Delay Program, an air traffic management plan, is expected to be implemented at Newark. The probability of extending the ground stop on Sunday was ranked at a 'medium level,' indicating that the safety measure may remain in place for several more hours.
The government shutdown started on October 1 when Republicans and Democrats failed to agree on passing a bill to fund federal services for the coming months. The key issue is the expiration of Obamacare subsidies. Democrats want the bill to include an extension of expiring tax credits that make health insurance more affordable for millions of Americans and a boost to Medicaid.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has indicated that the Democratic Party is willing to negotiate an end to the shutdown if Republicans are open to discussing the extension of subsidies. However, Republicans have insisted on negotiating the health insurance subsidies separately.
With Republicans holding 53 of the 100 Senate seats, they need Democratic support to pass any funding deal. President Donald Trump has warned that he will begin mass layoffs of federal workers if negotiations continue to stall.
As the situation unfolds, the impact on air travel and the broader economy remains a pressing concern for many. The continued delays and uncertainty surrounding the shutdown highlight the urgent need for a resolution to prevent further disruption.
