Flight cancellations update: Airlines warn record 31 million holiday travelers face a perfect storm of disruptions

The U.S. is facing a potential perfect storm of flight disruptions impacting a record 31 million holiday travelers due to the ongoing government shutdown. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has ordered a 10 percent reduction in flights at 40 major U.S. airports, citing safety concerns and staffing shortages exacerbated by the shutdown. These cuts, which began Friday, are projected to increase over the coming week, potentially reaching 20 percent if the shutdown persists into the Thanksgiving travel period. Airlines are struggling to adjust to these abrupt reductions, with American Airlines planning to cancel approximately 220 flights daily through Monday and United Airlines also implementing cancellations. The situation is compounded by existing staffing shortages within the air traffic control system, which has been described as fragile even before the shutdown. Essential federal aviation workers are now operating without pay, leading to concerns about controller morale and retention. While majo... download the app to read more