Washington, Nov 10 (IANS) — Air travel chaos intensified across the United States as the federal government shutdown entered its 40th day, with over 2,000 flights cancelled and more than 8,000 delayed nationwide, according to data from flight tracking website FlightAware.
The crisis deepened following the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) mandated flight reduction policy, which came into effect on Friday. The number of cancellations surged sharply — from 202 on Thursday to 1,025 on Friday, and then to 1,566 on Saturday, reflecting the growing strain on aviation operations, Xinhua news agency reported.
Officials said the shortage of air traffic controllers has worsened as more staff continue to take leave amid the prolonged shutdown, forcing others to work extended shifts. To manage the crisis, the US Department of Transportation and the FAA announced a 10 per cent capacity cut at 40 major airports nationwide, effective Friday, to alleviate staffing shortages and minimize airspace safety risks.
The extended government shutdown, now the longest in US history, has not only disrupted air travel but also raised concerns over aviation safety and economic stability, as essential federal operations remain stalled.