Delta, Southwest Cancel 1,000 Flights as Shutdown Forces Cuts

Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines were forced to cancel close to 1,000 flights combined after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an emergency directive requiring carriers to scale back operations amid the US government shutdown.

Under the directive, airlines operating at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports were instructed to reduce flight schedules by as much as 10 percent. The FAA said the measure was necessary to ensure safe and orderly air traffic management due to the staffing crisis among controllers.

Delta canceled about 450 flights, while Southwest canceled roughly 550, most of them on domestic routes. Busy airports like Chicago O’Hare, Atlanta, and New York LaGuardia were hit the hardest.

The move caused widespread delays and disruptions, frustrating travelers just as the holiday season gets underway.

Both airlines stated that they tried to notify customers promptly and rebook flights where possible, explaining that cancellations were necessary to ensure safety during a period of limited staffing.

Meanwhile, the US Senate has passed a bill to end the shutdown, which now awaits review by the House of Representatives. However, residual flight disruptions could persist even after government operations resume.

Photo by Miguel Ángel Sanz on Unsplash