On Sunday, hundreds of flights were canceled across the U.S. as part of ongoing reductions aimed at alleviating pressure on air traffic controllers, who are affected by the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. The Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Transportation noted that more than 4,300 flights had been canceled over three days, with over 1,000 cancellations on Friday and 1,400 on Saturday.
Despite the disruptions, major travel hubs remained relatively calm. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that further reductions could be necessary, impacting the upcoming busy holiday travel season. U.S. officials have identified 40 airports where operations need to decrease, aiming for a 10% reduction by week’s end. The affected airports range from large hubs to smaller destinations nationwide, with data showing percentage cancellations compared to this time last year.
For example, Newark saw 4.5% cancellations, while Atlanta had 4.2%. Other airports like Philadelphia and San Francisco also experienced notable cancellations around 3-4%. Overall, the situation underscores the broader implications of the government shutdown on air travel.
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