Sean Duffy, Trump administration, National Air Traffic Controllers Association, Houston Hobby Airport, New Mexico, 38 days, 1,500 flights, 4,576 delays
UPDATE: A top Trump aide has warned that if the government shutdown continues, one in five flights could be canceled next week, further escalating airport chaos across the nation. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued this stark warning as the shutdown enters its 38th day, leading to significant disruptions in air travel.
As of 6 PM on Friday, nearly 1,500 flights have already been canceled, with a staggering 4,576 delays reported within, into, or out of the United States, according to Flight Aware data. Duffy stressed the urgency of the situation, stating, “If this shutdown doesn’t end relatively soon, the consequence is that more controllers don’t come to work.”
The ongoing shutdown has led to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initiating a 4 percent cut in routes at the country’s busiest airports, with reductions expected to increase to 10 percent by next Friday. Experts warn that the economic ramifications of these cuts could be far worse than anticipated, potentially leading to a near-term economic downturn.
Individuals like Neil Lyon, who is scheduled for a cancer-related surgery in Houston, face growing uncertainty. His planned departure point, Houston Hobby Airport, is among the affected hubs, and he expressed his frustration: “It’s just adding what is unnecessary stress to a situation that’s already filled with legitimate stress.” Lyon’s backup plans include moving his flight up a day and even booking a second ticket to Austin.
Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, noted that even if the government reopens soon, the chaos at airports could persist for some time. He highlighted that controllers are quitting “every day” due to the ongoing shutdown, which is discouraging new talent from entering the profession.
Duffy emphasized the long-term impact on air traffic controller recruitment: “This makes it more difficult to get the best and the brightest young people to sign up to be air traffic controllers.”
With the clock ticking, officials urge the government to reopen quickly to mitigate further disruptions. Travelers are advised to monitor flight statuses closely as the situation continues to develop.
This is a breaking news story. Stay tuned for updates.
