By Admin 
The ongoing government shutdown in America is now having a direct impact on the country’s air services. As of Friday morning, more than 800 flights have been cancelled, which is four times more than on Thursday. Amid this crisis, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered a 4% reduction in flight operations at 40 major airports in the country, including major hubs like New York, Los Angeles and San Diego.
This order of FAA has come into effect from Friday and if the shutdown prolongs, then this reduction may increase up to 10% by next week. According to CNN report, airlines have already canceled hundreds of flights to avoid possible chaos.
FAA and US government response
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Wednesday, “This step will temporarily reduce the number of flights, but we will work with the airlines to implement it in a controlled manner.” The FAA has warned that if the shutdown continues, up to 4,000 flights per day could be affected, as many air traffic control towers are facing staff shortages.
Where and when will flight cuts be implemented
Bloomberg’s report suggests that flights will be mainly affected between 6 am and 10 pm. In the initial phase, 4% flights will be reduced, which can be increased to 10% next week. However, international flights are currently exempted from this rule.
Which airlines are most affected?
According to analyst Sheila Kahyaoglu, America’s four big airlines – American Airlines, Delta, United and Southwest will be most affected in November and December. According to the FlightAware website, as of 4:30 am on Friday, 800 flights had been cancelled, whereas on Thursday this number was only 201. Airlines have said that full refund will be given to passengers whose flights have been cancelled.
What could happen next?
FAA officials say that if the government shutdown does not end soon, there will be increased pressure on air traffic management. Due to lack of staff, both security and timing can be affected. Experts believe that if the situation continues like this, travelers may face serious problems during the Thanksgiving travel season.
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