Thousands of flights have been canceled as of Wednesday, a development that is reflective of flight troubles that people could experience as the Fourth of July weekend approaches.
More than 1,800 flights have been canceled as of Wednesday morning, according to FlightAware. Only 460 cancellations involved flights within, into, or out of the United States. There has also been an estimated 9,340 delays on Wednesday, with more than 660 of them occurring in the U.S. These numbers are expected to escalate in the next few days.
DELTA PILOTS TO PROTEST NATIONWIDE FOR IMPROVED PAY, PROTECTIONS, AND SCHEDULING
While the weather has caused some travel delays, staffing shortages and rebounding demand for travel have also escalated the growing pressure on the aviation industry.
Nicholas Calio, CEO of Airlines for America, told Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a recent letter that the industry is committed to providing a “safe and on-time product,” throughout the summer.
Calio jabbed at the Federal Aviation Administration for problems with the air traffic control system, saying problems originating there “were a factor in at least one-third of recent cancellations.”
The FAA retorted, noting that the aviation industry has struggled to provide sufficient staffing or services despite receiving billions during the pandemic to maintain its business presence.
Mark Meader, senior vice president of industry affairs and education at the American Society of Travel Advisors, said disruptions over the past few weekend cycles “tell us that we’re far from prepared to meet the surge in demand.”
Airlines are also expecting to see multiple protests in the near term. Delta Air Lines pilots will protest nationwide for improved pay, protections, and scheduling in the next few weeks. Southwest Airlines pilots are also protesting their pay and hourly schedule.
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The Transportation Department is considering taking action against airlines that fail to account for expected flight disruptions in the next few months, according to Buttigieg.
Some airlines have had to adapt and change what regions they serve. American Airlines ended service to three regions in New York and Ohio due to a lack of regional pilots.
