Travelers across the U.S. faced a nightmare on Friday as more than 5,000 flights were cancelled or delayed.
This marked the first day of new federal mandates slashing air traffic amid the ongoing government shutdown.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered airlines to cut flights by 4%.
This figure could jump to 10% next week, as air traffic controllers and other essential staff continue working without pay.
Many, struggling to make ends meet, have been calling in sick or taking side jobs.
“This isn’t just about delays — it’s about safety,” warned Nick Daniels, head of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association.
Flight Chaos Intensifies
“We’re doing our jobs, but we can’t magically pay ourselves. Congress needs to open the government.”
At airports from New York to Los Angeles, departure boards were filled with cancellations, and frustrated passengers scrambled for alternatives.
One traveller in Washington said his flight to Atlanta was scrapped mid-Uber ride.
Others resorted to pricey train tickets to reach their destinations.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that the chaos could worsen — with flight cuts reaching 20% if the shutdown drags on.
As stranded passengers waited out delays, one thing was clear: America’s political gridlock has officially taken flight.
No one knows when it will land.
