US Airlines Cancel Over 2,500 Weekend Flights Amid Government Shutdown
More than 2,500 flights were canceled over the weekend as a result of the ongoing government shutdown and the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) directive to scale back air traffic.
Impact on Passengers and Airports
Travelers at major airports across the country experienced delays and cancellations. Many hope the government will resolve the shutdown soon to restore normal flight operations.
Scenes from Major Airports
- At Miami International Airport, passengers waited anxiously for news on resuming flights.
- LaGuardia International Airport in New York saw travelers enduring long waits and uncertainties.
- At San Diego International Airport, some flights were delayed by hours, causing frustration among travelers like Grace Theodore and Isabel Azucena, who faced a three-hour delay to New York.
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport had many passengers checking in, despite cancellations.
“The FAA's mandate to reduce air traffic amid the government shutdown led to widespread flight cancellations, with no immediate relief in sight,” reported The Associated Press.
Despite the reduction in air traffic, the slowdowns did not result in widespread immediate chaos but compounded the challenges during the nation's longest federal shutdown to date.
Passengers dealt with disruptions at some of the busiest airports, including flight cancellations and delays extending several hours, highlighting the shutdown's far-reaching effects on air travel.
Summary
The ongoing government shutdown and FAA restrictions forced US airlines to cancel over 2,500 flights during the weekend, significantly impacting travelers at major airports but avoiding large-scale immediate chaos.