As the partial government shutdown continues to disrupt operations, over 454 flight cancellations and 4,759 delays have impacted travelers across the United States. Major airlines including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, JetBlue, Horizon, SkyWest, and others are facing severe travel disruptions, with significant delays and cancellations affecting flights nationwide. The shutdown has led to staffing shortages, particularly within TSA and CBP, severely straining key airports such as Dallas-Fort Worth, LaGuardia, Newark, Fort Lauderdale, Atlanta, Orlando, Denver, and others.
These delays and cancellations have been caused by a “double layer” of strain on both TSA security and CBP customs personnel, who are working without pay, leading to bottlenecks at both security checkpoints and customs processing areas. The high volume of international and domestic travelers further compounds the issue, particularly during peak travel hours, creating longer wait times and disruptions. With the shutdown still ongoing, travelers are facing an unpredictable and frustrating travel experience, as airlines struggle to keep up with the surge in demand amid reduced staffing. The ripple effect of these issues is being felt across major travel hubs, making air travel increasingly difficult for passengers nationwide.
Cancellation and Delays by US Airlines
The partial government shutdown and staffing shortages have led to significant cancellations and delays across US airlines. Major carriers such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest are experiencing noticeable disruptions, with cancellations ranging from 1% to 10% and delays affecting up to 29% of flights. These delays are particularly notable for airlines like Spirit, which has seen a 10% cancellation rate and 29% of flights delayed. With TSA and CBP staffing under strain, these disruptions are expected to continue until the shutdown is resolved. The delays are primarily affecting high-demand routes, particularly in international travel, where security checks and customs processing have been slowed.
| Airline | Cancelled (#) | Cancelled (%) | Delayed (#) | Delayed (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | 109 | 3% | 873 | 26% |
| Delta Air Lines | 67 | 2% | 416 | 14% |
| Southwest | 58 | 1% | 617 | 16% |
| Spirit | 54 | 10% | 151 | 29% |
| PSA Airlines (AAL) | 47 | 7% | 145 | 22% |
| Envoy Air (AAL) | 38 | 3% | 172 | 17% |
| SkyWest | 30 | 1% | 412 | 17% |
| United | 19 | 0% | 477 | 17% |
| JetBlue | 9 | 0% | 252 | 26% |
| Alaska Airlines | 5 | 0% | 136 | 18% |
| Frontier | 2 | 0% | 102 | 17% |
| Cape Air | 2 | 0% | 15 | 3% |
| Endeavor Air (DAL) | 1 | 0% | 34 | 6% |
| Horizon (ASA) | 4 | 1% | 16 | 6% |
Cancellation and Delays on US Airports by Origin
Several U.S. airports have been heavily impacted by the staffing shortages, especially in major hubs like Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), which saw an 11% cancellation rate and 48% of flights delayed. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL) and Orlando International (MCO) are also facing significant delays, with security and customs operations hindered by a shortage of TSA and CBP staff. These airports are experiencing bottlenecks that are causing increased wait times at security checkpoints, especially during peak travel hours. The disruptions are being exacerbated by the ongoing partial government shutdown, making it difficult for airlines to keep up with the high demand.
| Airport | Cancelled (#) | Cancelled (%) | Delayed (#) | Delayed (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (DFW) | 107 | 11% | 456 | 48% |
| Dallas Love Fld (DAL) | 24 | 10% | 72 | 30% |
| Hartsfield-Jackson Intl (ATL) | 16 | 1% | 154 | 15% |
| Orlando Intl (MCO) | 14 | 2% | 125 | 18% |
| Fort Lauderdale Intl (FLL) | 12 | 2% | 131 | 23% |
| John F Kennedy Intl (JFK) | 9 | 1% | 119 | 18% |
| Los Angeles Intl (LAX) | 8 | 1% | 117 | 15% |
| Chicago O’Hare Intl (ORD) | 7 | 0% | 178 | 15% |
| Newark Liberty Intl (EWR) | 7 | 1% | 74 | 14% |
| Aspen-Pitkin County (ASE) | 7 | 5% | 25 | 20% |
| Houston Bush Int’ctl (IAH) | 6 | 1% | 193 | 32% |
| Seattle-Tacoma Intl (SEA) | 6 | 1% | 86 | 16% |
| Boston Logan Intl (BOS) | 6 | 1% | 61 | 11% |
| Salt Lake City Intl (SLC) | 6 | 1% | 48 | 10% |
| LaGuardia (LGA) | 6 | 1% | 33 | 9% |
Cancellation and Delays on US Airports by Destination
The shutdown’s effect has been especially noticeable on flights departing from major airports like Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and Dallas Love Field (DAL), both of which saw a high percentage of cancellations and delays. These disruptions are mainly caused by the lack of sufficient TSA and CBP personnel to manage the surge of travelers at both departure and arrival points. Airports like Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) are also grappling with similar issues, making it increasingly difficult for airlines to maintain smooth operations. With the shutdown still ongoing, these delays are expected to continue impacting travelers for the foreseeable future.
| Airport | Cancelled (#) | Cancelled (%) | Delayed (#) | Delayed (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth Intl (DFW) | 106 | 10% | 381 | 38% |
| Dallas Love Fld (DAL) | 25 | 9% | 60 | 23% |
| Fort Lauderdale Intl (FLL) | 18 | 3% | 81 | 14% |
| Hartsfield-Jackson Intl (ATL) | 16 | 1% | 116 | 11% |
| Orlando Intl (MCO) | 11 | 1% | 97 | 14% |
| Denver Intl (DEN) | 9 | 0% | 106 | 11% |
| John F Kennedy Intl (JFK) | 8 | 1% | 136 | 21% |
| Chicago O’Hare Intl (ORD) | 7 | 0% | 149 | 12% |
| Newark Liberty Intl (EWR) | 7 | 1% | 75 | 14% |
| Detroit Metro Wayne Co (DTW) | 7 | 1% | 53 | 13% |
| Austin-Bergstrom Intl (AUS) | 7 | 2% | 51 | 18% |
| William P Hobby (HOU) | 6 | 2% | 52 | 25% |
| LaGuardia (LGA) | 6 | 1% | 49 | 13% |
| Baltimore/Washington Intl (BWI) | 6 | 2% | 27 | 9% |
Over 454 flight cancellations and 4,759 delays have hit US airports, as American, Delta, United, JetBlue, Horizon, SkyWest, and other airlines face severe disruptions. TSA and CBP staffing shortages at Dallas, LaGuardia, Newark, Fort Lauderdale, Atlanta, Orlando, Denver, and beyond are the primary cause.
In conclusion, the ongoing government shutdown has led to over 454 flight cancellations and 4,759 delays, severely affecting travelers across the U.S. Major airlines such as American, Delta, United, JetBlue, Horizon, SkyWest, and others are facing significant travel disruptions. The root cause of these issues lies in staffing shortages at key airports like Dallas, LaGuardia, Newark, Fort Lauderdale, Atlanta, Orlando, Denver, and many more. With both TSA and CBP personnel working without pay, the delays and cancellations are expected to persist until the shutdown is resolved. Passengers are advised to check for updates and expect longer wait times at security and customs checkpoints. Until then, the impact on U.S. air travel remains a significant challenge for both airlines and travelers alike.
The post Over 454 Flight Cancellations and 4,759 Delays Hit US, As American, Delta, United, JetBlue, Horizon, SkyWest, and Other Airlines Face Severe Travel Disruptions Across Dallas, LaGuardia, Newark, Fort Lauderdale, Atlanta, Orlando, Denver, and Beyond appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
