US airlines are cancelling hundreds of flights daily due to the ongoing government shutdown, creating significant travel headaches for passengers across the nation. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reduced air traffic capacity, leading to over 1,000 flight cancellations on Saturday and continuing into Sunday. Charlotte Douglas International Airport was particularly hard-hit, with 130 flights cancelled. Major airports in Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, and Newark also reported substantial delays and cancellations. This mandated slowdown affects 4% of flights at 40 airports, with projections of a 10% reduction if the shutdown continues. The primary driver of these disruptions is the severe staffing shortage among air traffic controllers, who have gone unpaid for nearly a month. Many are calling in sick, seeking secondary employment, or working mandatory overtime without pay. Officials warn that further flight reductions may be necessary. While long-haul international flights are mostly unaffected, domestic travelers are facing considerable stress, last-minute itinerary changes, and difficulties with accommodations and transport. The shutdown’s reach extends to US military bases abroad, where local employees have not received salaries, prompting financial assistance from some host countries. The prolonged federal stalemate is raising alarms about broader economic consequences for tourism and shipping industries.
