Despite the government reopening on Wednesday, flights are still being affected by the 43-day government shutdown.
Flight tracker FlightAware reported that 1,289 flights were canceled on Thursday, and another 14,106 flights were delayed. While the numbers are expected to increase later in the day, there was a slight decrease in cancellations.
Air traffic controllers missed two paychecks during the shutdown. However, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Thursday that paychecks are “coming their way.” During the shutdown, some controllers continued working, while others took time off to earn money in other ways. President Donald Trump offered a $10,000 bonus for air traffic controllers who continued working.
The reopening of the government and resumption of federal employees’ paychecks come as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches in two weeks. Thanksgiving is among the busiest travel days, according to the Transportation Security Administration. Last year, the Friday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving saw more than 2.7 million passengers. Additionally, the Sunday after Thanksgiving set a record with more than 3 million travelers.
Many air traffic controllers retired during the shutdown. Duffy explained that the “understaffing” has left current air traffic controllers at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, for example, with only four days off per month.
Duffy predicted that flight delays and cancellations “will live on” after the shutdown. He said a “substantial” number of travelers will see their Thanksgiving travel plans affected, noting that air travel will be “reduced to a trickle.”
GOVERNMENT MAY REOPEN, BUT AIR TRAVEL CHAOS IS FAR FROM OVER
However, the number of flight reductions at 40 airports nationwide is expected to remain at only 6%.
As of Thursday afternoon, 489 flights are canceled for Friday, and another 723 flights are delayed, according to FlightAware. Those numbers are expected to change.
