Cancellations of more than 9,000 flights throughout the U.S. Have resulted from the government shutdown, following the Federal Aviation Administration's directive for flight reductions last week. These reductions are implemented merely weeks prior to the busiest travel period of the year. Air traffic controllers have not received two full paychecks since October 1.
TL;DR
- Over 9,000 U.S. flights canceled due to government shutdown impacting air traffic controllers' pay.
- FAA has no timeline for easing flight reductions after the government shutdown concludes.
- Airlines must notify travelers of cancellations within 30 minutes for flights within seven days.
- Flights scheduled later in the day, especially after 3 p.m., face higher cancellation risks.
Even if the government resumes, the Federal Aviation Administration has given no timeline on when flight cuts will ease up after the government shutdown ends. Stacked cancellations and flight delays have Americans wondering how they will travel for Thanksgiving, let alone when they should consider beginning their journey.
“Since the beginning of the shutdown, controllers have been working without pay, and staffing triggers at air traffic facilities across the country have been increasing,” an automated statement from the FAA said when reached for comment. “This has resulted in increased reports of strain on the system from both pilots and air traffic controllers.” The full emergency order is here.
To get ready for potential issues, consider these points and advice prior to booking your upcoming flight.
You'll be notified about your flight's cancellation status.
- The Department of Transportation in the U.S. Mandates that for flights scheduled to depart within 7 days, airlines must offer status updates within 30 minutes (or less) of learning about a change. For flights departing more than a week from now, no official legal deadline exists for notification; the guideline is merely “as soon as practical.”. The law hasn't established a precise period or procedure for delivering this information.
- Data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) indicates that airlines and airports categorize the reasons for cancellations as weather, airline-related issues, and the national aviation system. Nevertheless, these categories do not establish a set timeframe for when cancellations are made public.
- The FAA advised travelers to check fly.faa.gov and consult their airlines for the most current information regarding staffing, weather, or other elements that might impact flight schedules.
Risk and factors:
- Flights scheduled for later in the day, specifically after 3 p.m., face a greater risk of cancellation. Research from reports indicates that the peak time for flight cancellations occurs between 6 and 7 p.m.
- Cancellation records from U.S. Airlines indicate that numerous “cancelled flights” are determined by a flight plan that was canceled within an hour of scheduled departure.
What to do next:
- Keep tabs on your flight's status using your airline's app and subscribe to instant updates (for example, American Airlines provides “BeNotified” notifications regarding same-day changes).
- Examine the airline's website or flight-status page, and look at the same route on prior days to identify cancellation trends.
- Prioritize earlier departures
- Incorporate extra time for travel or lodging, and prepare a contingency with alternative flights or closer airports.
- If your flight is canceled, you’re entitled to a refund or rebooking under federal law