In the midst of a grinding government shutdown, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is scrambling to keep the skies safe while airlines grapple with mounting delays and cancellations. Duffy, who stepped into the role earlier this year, held a press conference at LaGuardia Airport yesterday, highlighting the strain on air traffic controllers missing paychecks. His department's push for mandatory flight reductions aims to prevent accidents, but it's hitting travelers hard at a busy travel season.
Over 2,300 flights were canceled nationwide on Sunday alone, with numbers climbing as the Federal Aviation Administration enforces cuts to ensure safety. Major hubs like Newark Liberty saw 63 cancellations and 75 delays by midday, while total U.S. delays topped 7,500 yesterday. Duffy warned of rising "loss of separation" incidents between planes, a stark reminder of how budget woes trickle down to everyday commutes and holidays.
Airlines aren't sitting idle—Delta scrapped 170 flights, and United plans to axe 4% this weekend, citing FAA mandates. Broader travel news paints a picture of frustration: wait times at security checkpoints stretch longer, and private jets face restrictions too. Duffy clapped back at critics like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, insisting the moves are purely about safety, not politics, though some question if the shutdown's roots run deeper.
As these disruptions ripple through family plans and business trips, one can't help but wonder if a swift resolution might restore some normalcy to the airways.
