What to know about 10% reduction in flights at US airports caused by the government shutdown
NEW YORK (AP) — USA airports More than two dozen states are among those facing 10% reductions in air traffic on Friday. government shutdown.
The Federal Aviation Administration is implementing the reductions to relieve pressure on air traffic controllers, who are federal employees and have been working without pay during the shutdown.
In addition to reducing flight traffic, the closure more flight delaysExperts advise passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport, among other tips.
Here’s a closer look at what you need to know about discounts.
Which airports were affected?
The list includes 40 airports, including Atlanta, Denver, Dallas, Miami, Newark and San Francisco. The full list of airports facing discounts: Here.
Why is this necessary?
During the federal government shutdown, air traffic controllers did not receive their salaries. This led to controllers calling in sick and contributing staff shortage This situation has been affecting air travel for weeks.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association said most controllers were working mandatory overtime six days a week without pay during the shutdown.
This leaves little time for side hustle unless controllers call the FAA in sick.
When will the discounts start and end?
They will start on Friday and passengers are expected to be notified on Thursday. Airlines said people may find their weekend travel plans disrupted with little notice.
It’s unclear when the reduced flights will end. Airlines, unions and the travel industry have called on Congress to end the shutdown. on wednesday It was the longest period ever recorded.
What will be the impact of the reduction?
According to one estimate, the cuts could include 1,800 flights and a total of 268,000 seats.
United Airlines and Delta Air Lines said they would offer refunds to passengers who choose not to fly, even if they normally have non-refundable tickets.
The outages could also disrupt package deliveries because two airports with major distribution centers are on the list. FedEx operates at the Memphis, Tennessee airport and UPS in Louisville, Kentucky. fatal cargo plane crash This week.
Transport Secretary Sean Duffy warned This week, there could be chaos in the skies if the shutdown lasts long enough for controllers to miss their second full paycheck next week.
Has this happened before?
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said this week that in his nearly four decades of experience in aviation, he had never seen such measures taken before.
“We are in new territory in terms of a government shutdown,” he said.
Staffing issues caused delays throughout October, but these were mostly isolated and temporary. But last weekend saw a change.
At least 39 air traffic control facilities reported potential staffing limits from Friday through Sunday evening, according to an Associated Press analysis of operating plans shared through the Air Traffic Control System Command Center system. This figure, which is likely an undercount, is well above the average for weekends before the shutdown.
On weekends from Jan. 1 to Sept. 30, the average number of airport towers, regional control centers and facilities monitoring traffic at high altitudes where potential staffing issues were advertised was 8.3, according to the AP analysis.
