A fierce snowstorm has already canceled thousands of flights across the Midwest, but the ongoing partial government shutdown has created a perfect storm of disruptions by leaving TSA and air traffic control understaffed. Here’s exactly how these two crises are colliding and what it means for your travel plans.
A heavy snowstorm is causing widespread travel chaos across the Midwest, with thousands of flights canceled and delayed according to FlightAware data. On Monday alone, 4,683 flights within, into, or out of the US were canceled, and 11,752 were delayed. This follows a similarly disrupted Sunday with 3,248 cancellations and 10,741 delays.
The National Weather Service reported heavy snow in the upper Great Lakes and upper Midwest, warning of gusty winds and heavy snow bands that could cause local travel impacts. The hardest hit airports include:
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
- LaGuardia Airport
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport
Pictures from airports show massive crowds and snaking lines at security checkpoints.
Atlanta’s airport advised passengers to arrive at least three hours before their flight due to longer-than-normal wait times at TSA security checkpoints. “Passengers are experiencing longer-than-normal wait times at TSA security checkpoints due to the partial government shutdown and recent inclement weather impacting flight operations,” the airport said in a Monday post on X.
The partial government shutdown has left federal aviation workers, including TSA employees and air traffic controllers, working without paychecks Business Insider. Many TSA officers are not showing up for their shifts, exacerbating the strain.
The severity of the staffing crisis is evident: long lines and delays have been reported nationwide Business Insider.
On Sunday, the CEOs of major US airlines wrote an open letter to Congress calling $0 paychecks for TSA staff “simply unacceptable” and urging legislation to protect these workers during shutdowns Business Insider.
The collision of extreme weather and political gridlock has exposed the fragility of the US air travel system. With understaffed security and air traffic control, even a moderate snowstorm can cascade into widespread cancellations and hours-long delays. Travelers should expect continued disruptions until the storm passes and the shutdown ends.
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