Thousands of flights in the U.S. canceled due to airport outage.

According to The Sun: Thousands of Americans planning Thanksgiving celebrations found themselves in dire situations due to massive flight cancellations amid the government shutdown.

A shortage of staff at U.S. airports caused chaos, halting air transportation.

On Monday at Hollywood-Burbank Airport in Los Angeles, there were no air traffic controllers for several hours, confirmed by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Problems were also reported in Newark, New Jersey, and Denver. Additionally, delays were observed in Nashville, Boston, Dallas, Chicago, and Philadelphia.

Other air traffic control centers in Atlanta, Houston, and Dallas-Fort Worth were also affected by this situation.

This occurred amid the government shutdown, which has been ongoing for the seventh day. Many airport workers are working without pay, resulting in an increase in sick leave in the Transportation Security Administration and other services.

California Governor Gavin Newsom blamed Donald Trump for creating this transportation chaos, as Democrats and Republicans cannot reach an agreement on the budget.

“Thank you, @realDonaldTrump! There has not been a single air traffic controller at Burbank Airport from 4:15 PM to 10 PM due to YOUR government shutdown,” Newsom wrote on X.

However, the Trump administration claims that there would be no government shutdown if Democrats in Congress agreed to a new plan.

Impact on travel

Travel industry analyst Henry Harteveldt noted that the longer the shutdown lasts, the more problems it will create for travelers in November.

“I am seriously concerned that this shutdown could ruin the holidays for millions of Americans on Thanksgiving,” he emphasized.

Sick leave numbers have increased

According to the U.S. government, many of the 11,000 air traffic controllers are calling in sick, leading to staffing shortages.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed: “We are monitoring sick leave. Are we seeing a slight increase in sick leave? Yes.”

“If there are more sick calls, we will have to reduce the number of flights to ensure safety for Americans,” he added.

During shutdown periods, federal agencies are prohibited from hiring new employees or conducting their training.

The head of the air traffic controllers’ union, Nick Daniels, urged Congress to end the shutdown as quickly as possible.

“We need to end this shutdown so the Federal Aviation Administration and aviation security professionals can focus on their jobs,” Daniels said.

Travelers may miss their flights even if they arrive at the airport on time. It is advised to check travel updates sent by airlines several times. Flights can often depart earlier than scheduled unexpectedly.

Airlines are trying to maintain schedules, but departure times can change. If a flight is delayed, passengers will receive an email or notification about the changes.

However, unfortunate passengers sometimes encounter situations where, following updates, they reach the gate and find out that their plane has already departed.

Many airlines state in their terms that they are not responsible for missed flights due to delays. Spirit Airlines advises: “In case of a delay, stay in the boarding area for updates and possible early departures. Spirit is not responsible for missed flights that departed earlier than scheduled.”

This situation poses dangers for passengers, especially during holidays when many are trying to get home or spend time with family. Government inaction only exacerbates the problem, causing outrage among travelers.

The aviation industry across the country is trying to find solutions to mitigate the negative effects of the shutdown. The situation remains tense, and many passengers are waiting for stability in air traffic.