Airlines cancel 3,300 US flights, warn of less travel as government shutdown continues

Airlines in the United States have cancelled more than 3,300 flights, with a top transport official warning that air travel could “slow to a trickle” due to the longest government shutdown in US history.

On Sunday, more than 3,300 US flights were cancelled and some 10,000 flights were delayed, while on Saturday, more than 1,500 flights were cancelled, following the cancellation of about 1,000 flights on Friday.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) last week ordered airlines to cut thousands of US flights due to a shortage of air traffic controllers amid the government shutdown.

Under the FAA-mandated phased-in reduction in air traffic, airlines were ordered to reduce domestic flights by 4 percent on Friday, and gradually reach 10 percent by the end of the week, prompting airlines to cancel thousands of US flights as Congress lawmakers wrestle over funding.

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The federal government shutdown, now in its sixth week, is the longest in US history, costing the economy $20 billion weekly and affecting 1.2 million civil service workers, critically impacting services for the lower class, including school meals.

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said air traffic could “slow to a trickle” by the Thanksgiving holiday on November 27.

“As we get closer to Thanksgiving travel, I think what’s going to happen is you’re going to have air travel slow to a trickle, as everyone wants to travel to see their families,” Duffy told the media.

Meantime, air traffic controllers, who have not been paid for weeks due to the ongoing government shutdown, are exhibiting signs of sickness and refusing to show up at work.

“It doesn’t get better,” Duffy said. “It gets worse until these air traffic controllers are going to be paid.”

Thousands of air traffic controllers, who are deemed “essential” employees under US government rules, have been told to turn up at work without pay since the start of the shutdown on October 1.

However, media reports said US Senators had reached a stopgap deal to end the government shutdown, raising hopes for ending the six-week-long impasse.

Monday marked the 41st day of the longest government shutdown in US history.

The Republicans and the Democrats had each blamed the other for the impasse in Congress, causing the government shutdown.

Senate voted 60-to-40 to break the filibuster and advance the funding package after a group of moderate Democrats joined Republicans to support the resumption of government funding.

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