US air travel reels as shutdown hits skies: When can you expect flights to operate normally again?

Airlines across the United States have cancelled more than 3,300 flights as the nation’s longest-ever federal government shutdown stretches into its second month, triggering growing concerns over the stability of the country’s air travel system.

The cancellations come as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) continues to reduce air traffic operations amid worsening staff shortages and fatigue among unpaid air traffic controllers, many of whom have gone nearly a month without pay.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that the situation could worsen ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday on November 27, when millions of Americans are expected to travel.

“As we get closer to Thanksgiving travel, I think what’s going to happen is you’re going to have air travel slow to a trickle,” Duffy said in an interview with Fox News. “It doesn’t get better. It gets worse until these air traffic controllers are going to be paid.”

What’s behind the disruption?

The FAA last week ordered reductions in air traffic after reports surfaced that unpaid air traffic controllers were showing signs of fatigue and failing to report for duty.

Most controllers have been working mandatory overtime six days a week without compensation, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association said.

About 13,000 controllers, classified as “essential” federal employees, have been forced to work without pay since the shutdown began on October 1.

The flight reductions started at 4% on Friday, increased to 5% on Saturday, and 6% on Sunday, with officials warning they could reach 10% this week if the shutdown continues.

The order has hit 40 of the nation’s busiest airports, including major hubs in New York, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Houston, and Atlanta.

So far, long-haul international flights remain largely unaffected, but the mounting cancellations have begun to ripple through domestic air travel networks.

Nearly half of all US air freight is transported in the bellies of passenger jets, meaning that extended disruptions could push up shipping costs and, eventually, prices in stores.

“This shutdown is going to impact everything from cargo aircraft to people getting to business meetings to tourists being able to travel,” said Greg Raiff, CEO of Elevate Aviation Group. “It’s going to hit the hotel taxes and city taxes. There’s a cascading effect that results from this thing.”

When will the flight chaos finally ease?

The Senate on Sunday took the first step toward ending the shutdown, voting 60-40 to advance compromise legislation to fund the government.

The measure, backed by a group of moderate Democrats, omits a guaranteed extension of health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York voted against the motion, joined by most of his Democratic caucus, saying the bill failed to meet the needs of Americans struggling with rising costs.

The package, which still requires approval from both chambers of Congress and President Donald Trump’s signature, would reverse the administration’s mass firings of federal workers and ensure back pay once the shutdown ends.

The final passage could still take several days if Democrats attempt to delay the process.

If no deal is reached soon, air travel disruptions are expected to worsen in the days ahead.