The US aviation sector is grappling with widespread flight cancellations and passenger delays as the government shutdown enters its second week, forcing air traffic control staffing shortages. Over 1,000 flights were grounded on Saturday alone, marking a second consecutive day of severe disruption. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has implemented flight reductions impacting roughly 4% of services at 40 key airports, a figure expected to climb. Charlotte Douglas International Airport bore the brunt, with 130 cancellations by mid-afternoon, and other major airports like Atlanta and Chicago also saw significant impacts. The core issue lies with unpaid air traffic controllers, many of whom are calling in sick or working extended hours without compensation, leading to operational strain. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has cautioned that more extensive flight cuts are likely if the shutdown persists. Passengers are navigating a stressful landscape of rebookings and uncertainty, though international travel has been less affected. Beyond air travel, the shutdown is impacting operations at overseas US military bases, with local staff working without pay for weeks, prompting some host nations to provide temporary financial relief. The extended federal impasse threatens to spill over into other sectors, including tourism and shipping, as the economic ramifications continue to broaden.
