US Airlines Cancel Over 2,700 Flights on Sunday
U.S. airlines canceled more than 2,700 flights Sunday, primarily due to the ongoing federal government shutdown and the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) directive to reduce air traffic.
Impact on Major Airports and Travelers
The disruptions have affected 40 of the nation's busiest airports, causing widespread delays and cancellations as the shutdown extends into the Thanksgiving travel period.
- Passengers waited in long lines at Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
- Security checkpoints at New York's LaGuardia Airport experienced significant backlogs.
- American Eagle and American Airlines planes stood idle at LaGuardia gates.
FAA Flight Reductions and Workforce Issues
The FAA ordered reduced flight operations because many air traffic controllers have stopped working after nearly a month without pay.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that, if the shutdown persists, air traffic across the country could "slow to a trickle."
"Air traffic across the nation would slow to a trickle if the federal government shutdown lingered into the busy Thanksgiving travel holiday season."
Flight Delays Escalate
On Sunday alone, nearly 10,000 flight delays were reported, according to FlightAware, a website tracking air travel disruptions.
Summary: The government shutdown has led to over 2,700 flight cancellations and thousands of delays, severely impacting air travel during the critical Thanksgiving period.
Would you like the summary to be more formal or conversational?