Flight Disruptions Continue in the U.S. as Congress Debates Shutdown Extension

Flight delays and cancellations continued across the United States aviation system on Wednesday as political negotiations to avoid a full federal shutdown stalled once again in Congress. Airlines reported that the capacity reductions ordered by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are expected to last through the weekend.

Major airports including Chicago O’Hare, Atlanta, and New York JFK are experiencing the worst bottlenecks. Airlines are proactively reducing frequencies and combining routes to help mitigate congestion and avoid last-minute cancellations.

The FAA confirmed that staffing shortages among air traffic controllers are the primary driver of ongoing disruptions. Many workers have reached overtime limits or are on mandatory unpaid leave due to budget constraints linked to the shutdown.

Airlines have issued travel waivers allowing passengers to rebook flights without penalties. However, travel advisors say this has created a wave of itinerary changes that is overwhelming call centers and customer support systems.

Tourism entities are concerned that if the shutdown continues, it could negatively impact the start of the peak winter season for destinations such as Florida, Hawaii and the Caribbean.

Industry analysts estimate that the U.S. economy may lose more than $1.5 billion in tourism spending for every week of sustained disruption. The U.S. Travel Association warned that the ripple effect on international arrivals could be “significant and immediate.”

With uncertainty mounting, airlines are urging travelers to choose flexible fares and arrive early at airports until full staffing resumes.