Airlines cancel more than 1,500 US flights on Nov 10 as shutdown persists

WASHINGTON – US airlines cancelled more than 1,500 flights on Nov 10, the fourth consecutive day that cancellations have topped 1,000 as government flight cuts and air traffic staffing absences continue to wreak havoc with aviation.

FlightAware, a flight tracking website, said by 8.30am ET (9.30pm, Singapore time) on Nov 10, more than 1,550 flights had been cancelled and 1,400 delayed after 2,950 flights were cancelled and nearly 10,800 delayed on Nov 9 in the

single worst day

for flight disruptions since the government shutdown began on Oct 1.

A November winter storm in Chicago is also disrupting air travel.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said late on Nov 9 that it was suspending general aviation traffic at 12 airports with air traffic control staffing issues, including Chicago O’Hare and Reagan Washington National.

The shutdown, which has reached a record 40 days, has led to shortages of air traffic controllers who, like other federal employees, have not been paid for weeks.

The US Senate voted to

advance a Bill

to end the government shutdown late on Nov 9.

The FAA instructed airlines to cut 4 per cent of daily flights starting on Nov 7 at 40 major airports because of air traffic control safety concerns. Reductions in flights are mandated to reach 6 per cent on Nov 11 and then hit 10 per cent by Nov 14.

One big question for airlines is when will the FAA lift the government-required flight cuts. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has said he first wants to see air traffic control staffing and safety data improve. REUTERS