Despite news of a potential resolution in the government shutdown, cancelled and delayed flights continue to stack up across the U.S.

Despite news of a potential resolution in the government shutdown, cancelled and delayed flights continue to stack up across the U.S.

Major airlines are now pleading for an immediate end to the record-long government shutdown as delays and cancellations continue to impact travelers and airport staff.

Delays and Cancellations Grow Nationwide

Reuters.com shares that airlines in the U.S. had to cancel more than 2,800 flights on Sunday, with another 10,200 being delayed to ensure safe travel after the government-mandated flight cuts and air traffic control staffing shortages impacting the aviation sector. By 8am this morning, Monday has already seen 1,557 cancelled flights and another 1,243 delayed.

Air Traffic Control Personnel Working Without Pay

This past Tuesday, working air-traffic controllers missed their first full paycheck. American Airlines made a statement that it was unacceptable to have federal employees working without pay.

“A prolonged shutdown will lead to more delays and cancellations — and the American people, especially during the busy holiday season, deserve better,” American Airlines said in a recent statement.

Delta Airlines CEO Ed Bastian is also chiming in for the second time to implore Congress to end the shutdown, stating that “missed paychecks only increases the stress on these essential workers, many of whom are already working mandatory overtime to keep our skies safe and secure.”

Local Impacts to Flights Out Of Tampa, Sarasota, Fort Myers and Orlando

On Thursday, impacted flights were localized to only 40 major airports, but 4 days later, few hubs seemed to be immune. Locally in Tampa, Florida, more than half of TIA’s scheduled flights are delayed as of Monday morning, and the smaller, nearby Sarasota International Airport also has a flight board strewn with delays and cancellations.

Also feeling the effects is Southwest Florida International Airport, serving the Fort Myers and Naples area and Orlando International Airport.

How Long Will The Flight Delays Last?

Sean Duffy, with the Department of Transportation, warns that even when the shutdown is concluded, travel will continue to impacted through Thanksgiving, with the total number of flights being ‘reduced to a trickle.’