The federal US Transportation Department this week partially lifted its own emergency order. This decision paves the way for many new domestic flights, just in time for the Thanksgiving travel peak. That ruling comes on the heels of a tumultuous summer of passengers experiencing massive flight cancellations. These problems were due to staffing shortages resulting from the longest government shutdown in US history.
The shutdown that started in early October and lasted 43 days compelled ATCs to work without pay. This perfect storm resulted in historic levels of controller absences, severely crippling FAA’s ability to maintain regular flight operations. On the weekend of November 8 alone, the transportation department announced an incredible 81 advisories. These alerts were the result of no-notice grounded, scrapped or delayed flights as a result of grounded staffing shortages. The next weekend was somewhat better, with just nine alerts logged.
Airports nationwide dealt with historic challenges due to staffing shortage-related crisis. Consequently, thousands of flights were canceled, or even more were delayed, in early November. The emergency order required domestic flights to cut up to 10% on short notice. This move was meant to alleviate the safety strain resulting from this lack of available air traffic controllers. Most of these controllers reported tremendous amounts of stress and burnout. They either stretched themselves thin with side gigs to be able to cover the income they lost while the government was shut down.
This deficit worsened during and after the shutdown, but has rebounded better since the shutdown ended. This came as a result of prioritizing air traffic controller staffing levels. According to the transportation department, “staffing levels have continued to snap back,” leading to enough personnel returning to work to alleviate previous safety concerns that warranted the emergency flight cuts.