U.S. Airlines Cancel Over 1,200 Flights Amid Ongoing Government Shutdown

U.S. airlines have canceled more than 1,200 flights today, Tuesday, as the government shutdown persists, leading to a growing crisis in the aviation industry stemming from a critical shortage of air traffic controllers.

According to data from "FlightAware," over 1,550 flights were canceled on Monday, with around 1,200 additional flights delayed. This follows a particularly challenging day where 2,950 flights were canceled and nearly 10,800 were delayed, marking the most disruptive day since the shutdown began on October 1.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy indicated that between 15 and 20 air traffic controllers are retiring daily due to the lack of salary, compared to an average of only four under normal circumstances. This situation has led the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to instruct a 4% reduction in daily flights at approximately 40 major airports, including Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, and Houston.

The government shutdown, now entering its sixth week, raises concerns about national security and essential services, threatening further disruptions if a new funding agreement is not reached in the coming days.