Government Cuts Back US Air Travel as Government Closure Drags On
With the unprecedented federal government shutdown stretches toward day 38, US skies is about to get less congested. The same cannot be said for US air travel hubs.
Protective Actions Enacted
The federal aviation regulatory body stated flights are being reduced to maintain air traffic control security during the federal government funding lapse, now the longest recorded and with no sign of a solution between GOP lawmakers and liberal officials to end the federal budget impasse.
Airline regulators pinpointed “busiest routes” where the FAA says air traffic needs cutting by 4% by 6am ET on Friday, a step requiring airlines to cancel thousands of flights and create a chain reaction of scheduling complications and hold-ups at key American travel hubs.
Official Statement
The federal transportation leader, Sean Duffy, commented on online platforms Thursday that the decision was “not about politics” but rather “involving evaluation the data and reducing growing safety concerns in the system as flight directors continue working without pay”.
“It’s safe to fly today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the proactive actions we are taking,” he added.
Travel Disruptions
Experts predict hundreds if not thousands of flights may be scrapped. The cuts could represent as many as 1,800 flights and more than 268,000 seats collectively, per an projection by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.
Targeted Terminals
The involved terminals spanning more than two dozen states include the highest-volume locations across the US – including Georgia's capital, North Carolina's city, Denver, Dallas/Fort Worth, Orlando, LAX, Miami and San Francisco. Within major metropolitan areas – such as NYC, Houston and Chicago – multiple airports will be impacted.
Each of the three air terminals serving the DC metro – IAD, BWI and DCA – will be affected, inevitably causing delays and cancellations for elected representatives as well as the flying public.
Related Updates
- This is the compilation of American air terminals reducing air travel on Friday due to federal government shutdown.
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