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America’s aviation system is straining under the weight of the longest government shutdown on record: thousands of flights canceled, long delays at major airports and frustrated travelers across the country.
In an unprecedented move, Federal Aviation Administration Airlines were ordered last week to cut domestic flight schedules, saying the cuts were intended to ease pressure on an overburdened system and help manage air traffic control staffing.
Having not been paid for more than a month, some air traffic controllers have started walking out of work, citing stress and the need to take another job – leading to staffing shortages at more control towers and facilities.
The numbers show the shutdown’s toll on air travel:
40
Major US airports where all commercial airlines are required to cancel flights through November 7 under FAA orders. The list spans more than two dozen states and includes major centers like New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Chicago.
12
The FAA’s list of 40 airports where the agency also expanded restrictions to limit business jets and many private flights.
4%
Initial cuts to flight schedules ordered by the FAA.
10%
The FAA’s final flight reduction goals, which are expected to take effect Friday. The agency has said the restrictions will remain in place until staffing at its air traffic control facilities stabilizes and safety measurements improve, even if the shutdown ends before Friday.
1.9 million
According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, daily passengers who use 40 airports where flights have been reduced.
5.2 million
passengers who have been affected by staffing-related delays or cancellations since the government shutdown began on October 1 Airlines to AmericaThe industry trade group represents Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines and JetBlue.
9,500
Flights were canceled between midday and Wednesday, November 7, the first day of FAA-required curtailments, according to flight tracking site FlightAware.
30
The average number of air traffic control facilities that had staffing issues during the six weekends since the shutdown began on October 1. That number is nearly four times that number on weekends this year before the shutdown, according to an Associated Press analysis of operations plans sent through the Air Traffic Control System command center system.
$10,000
how many presidents donald trump It was suggested that air traffic controllers should receive a bonus if they did not miss any days of work during the shutdown. Trump also threatened to cut wages for those who do not stay on the job.
$285 million to $580 million
According to Airlines for America, the daily US economic impact once the FAA’s 10% cut goes into effect is estimated to be lower visitor spending, state and local tax revenues and reduced spending in the broader economy.
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Associated Press journalist Christopher L. Keller contributed from Albuquerque, New Mexico.