Air travel disruptions continue even after the government shutdown has been lifted. Recent reports indicate that over 1,000 flights in the United States were canceled as of Thursday evening, as officials warned that both cancellations and delays may still persist. The Department of Transportation confirmed that about 6% of scheduled flights at numerous major airports would remain canceled, an adjustment from earlier projections that anticipated an 8% cancellation rate.
Delta Airlines’ CEO, Ed Bastian, expressed optimism about the improving situation during an interview on "CBS Mornings." He noted that staffing levels had improved significantly following the Senate’s decision to approve a deal, leading to a reduction in cancellations. Nonetheless, the cancellations that had occurred recently primarily involved smaller planes affected by government mandates.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy reported a drop in callouts among air traffic controllers, signaling a potential return to normalcy in air operations. He noted that the Federal Aviation Administration’s safety team is monitoring the situation closely to ensure that safety remains the top priority as they adjust flight operations.
While CEO Bastian assured travelers that Thanksgiving travel should go smoothly, Duffy mentioned that the restoration of service levels would take time and depend on the careful assessment of various safety data before reversing the cutbacks implemented during the shutdown.
The end of the government shutdown saw significant relief for many, but it has also left passengers feeling anxious about their upcoming travel plans. Various travelers expressed hope for an improvement, underscoring the ongoing uncertainty in the air travel landscape.
For updates on the government shutdown and air travel impacts, visit CBS News.