A chilling forecast emerged Sunday: air travel across the United States is on the verge of collapse. Authorities warned that the ongoing federal government shutdown is already causing widespread chaos, with thousands of flights cancelled or severely delayed, and the situation is poised to worsen dramatically.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy painted a grim picture, stating that the disruption would escalate into a near-total standstill if the political deadlock between Democrats and Republicans persists. The approaching Thanksgiving holiday, a peak travel period, will be particularly affected, potentially stranding millions.
The numbers already tell a stark story. FlightAware data revealed over 1,330 cancellations for flights within the US and those arriving from or departing to international destinations on Sunday alone. Major hubs like New York City’s airports, Chicago’s O’Hare, and Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson bore the brunt of the impact.
Duffy warned that Thanksgiving travelers face a bleak reality: many simply won’t be able to fly. With fewer and fewer air traffic controllers reporting for duty due to the lack of pay, the number of available flights will plummet, leaving countless holiday plans in ruins.
This crisis marks the 40th day of the unprecedented government shutdown, and the third consecutive day of reduced flight operations. The Trump administration initiated these reductions in an attempt to alleviate the strain on unpaid air traffic controllers, a move that is now backfiring spectacularly.
The Secretary predicted a cascade of problems, from overwhelmed airports to frustrated passengers. “You’re going to have massive disruption and a lot of angry Americans,” he stated, highlighting the human cost of the political impasse.
While Duffy placed blame on Democrats, Senator Adam Schiff countered that Republicans were rejecting reasonable compromise. He criticized the lack of urgency from the opposing party, pointing to continued vacations and leisure activities while the nation’s travel infrastructure teeters on the brink.
The core of the disagreement centers on healthcare subsidies, a sticking point that continues to prevent a resolution. Schiff emphasized the importance of protecting access to affordable healthcare, framing it as a non-negotiable element of any potential deal.
Schiff urged Republicans to reconsider their position and allow more time for negotiations, emphasizing the need to reopen the government and avert a complete breakdown of air travel. The fate of Thanksgiving travel, and the broader stability of the nation’s air system, hangs in the balance.
