Air Travel Recovery to Lag Even After Shutdown Ends
As the government shutdown approaches a resolution, air travel in the United States faces significant challenges. Even with the shutdown potentially ending, the effects on air travel recovery could linger for months. Airlines are currently mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to reduce flight capacity at 40 major US airports by up to 10%. Starting Tuesday, a 6% reduction in flights will be implemented.
Impact of Flight Cancellations
Airlines will need to cancel flights seven days in advance, and rebooking passengers after cancellations is not an easy task. Eash Sundaram, the president of Utpata Ventures and former JetBlue executive, highlighted the struggle airlines face in managing daily cancellations while trying to maintain operational integrity.
Return to Flight Operations
Industry experts suggest it may take airlines one to two weeks to recover fully once air traffic controllers return to work. However, Kit Darby, a pilot and aviation consultant, cautions that if resolution is delayed, full recovery may not occur before Thanksgiving.
Federal Aviation Administration Challenges
Even with the government reopening, not all air traffic controllers may return immediately. Some essential FAA employees have taken second jobs and might continue working those roles until they receive their back pay. This situation creates uncertainty in the air traffic control workforce.
Controller Shortages
- Prior to the shutdown, the FAA was short by over 3,000 controllers.
- The retirement rate has surged from four controllers per day to between 20 and 25 since the shutdown began.
- Classes at the FAA’s training academy in Oklahoma City are ongoing but face funding challenges.
Consequences of Prolonged Shutdown
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy acknowledged that the ongoing staffing issues would negatively affect air travel well into the future. The failure to resolve the shutdown could lead to a “trickle” in air travel, particularly as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches.
Impending Travel Disruptions
With fewer controllers present, the ability of airlines to manage regular flight operations becomes severely compromised. According to Duffy, if the shutdown is not resolved quickly, air travel could drastically slow, affecting thousands of daily flights essential for holiday travel.
Looking Ahead
Travel experts stress the importance of concluding the shutdown promptly. If resolved within the week, airlines may have enough time to reinstate their schedules and stabilize operations by Thanksgiving. However, continued delays pose a significant risk to festive travel plans.
In summary, while the government shutdown may seem like a temporary issue, its long-term effects on air travel recovery are concerning. Airlines and travelers alike are hoping for swift legislative action to ensure a reliable travel experience in the coming months.
