Airline travelers are facing an uptick in flight cancellations and delays this month as ripple effects from the ongoing federal government shutdown continue to spread through the nation’s airports.
Locally at Bradley International Airport (BDL), Connecticut’s largest airport, nearly 6-8% of scheduled flights were canceled and a similar number were delayed last weekend according to data from FlightAware. Though Bradley wasn’t among the 40 major airports directly ordered to reduce flights by the Federal Aviation Administration, delays at larger airports such as LaGuardia, Boston Logan and JFK have caused widespread ripple effects for Connecticut travelers.
The FAA’s phased flight reductions began early this month after air traffic controllers and safety inspectors began missing paychecks due to the 40-day government shutdown. The agency directed airlines to cut up to 10% of daily flights at major airports, citing severe staffing shortages, according to Politico.
As a result, thousands of flights nationwide have been grounded, including many through connecting hubs that serve Connecticut passengers. Politico reported that reductions started at 4% of daily flights and were expected to increase if the shutdown continued.
CT Insider reported that Bradley’s average delay rate over the past five years has ranged between 8% and 22%, and current levels are trending higher amid the federal slowdown.
Federal and industry officials are warning that conditions could deteriorate further ahead of Thanksgiving, one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
In a recent interview with NBC Connecticut, former congressman Sean Duffy cautioned that travelers should “expect more cancellations and chaos” if FAA staffing shortages are not resolved soon. Duffy said the ongoing shutdown has placed “unnecessary strain” on aviation systems.
“It’s going to get worse before it gets better,” Duffy said. “If the FAA can’t restore full staffing, we’re going to see widespread delays over the Thanksgiving holiday.”
The Connecticut Airport Authority is advising travelers to check flight status before leaving home and to arrive early in case of longer lines or rescheduled departures. Officials also encourage passengers to download airline apps for real-time updates and to opt into text alerts, as reported by NBC Connecticut.
While most major airlines have issued waivers for rebooking affected flights, many travelers have struggled to find available seats amid high demand. Consumer experts advise passengers to use airline apps or social media accounts to rebook more quickly rather than waiting on hold.
As the federal shutdown stretches past 40 days, experts say the travel disruptions could continue well into the holiday season if Congress fails to reach a funding agreement.
Even if Congress finalizes a deal to reopen the government, airlines are not expected to bounce back immediately; many will need considerable time to fully recover from the operational setbacks and staffing disruptions.