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Delays and cancellations continue at Logan Airport
The flight reductions increased to 6% on Tuesday.
Travelers continue facing delays and cancellations at Logan Airport after flights were reduced on Friday due to the government shutdown.
Previously:
Logan is one of 40 “high-volume” markets where the FAA reduced air traffic beginning on Friday due to a shortage of air traffic controllers, who have been working without pay.
Airlines have cancelled more than 9,000 flights across the U.S. since the reduction, according to The Associated Press. The FAA reductions started at 4%, increased to 6% on Tuesday, and will increase to 10% on Friday. As a result of the disruptions, airlines are waiving fees and offering refunds, and Massport urged travelers to check with their airline before going to the airport.
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The Senate passed a bill to end the shutdown on Monday and members of the House will vote on the legislation Wednesday. Secretary Sean Duffy, in a press conference at O’Hare International Airport on Tuesday, said more air traffic controllers are reporting back to work.
“I think our air traffic controllers are seeing an end to the shutdown and feel more hopeful and are coming into their facilities,” said Duffy.
Travelers are worried about the upcoming busy travel period for Thanksgiving, he said.
“I’ve had questions about, ‘What happens for Thanksgiving?'” Duffy said. “I’m going to tell you, we are not going to get to Thanksgiving. You’re going to see this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday … massively more disruption as we come into this weekend if the government doesn’t open. It is going to radically slow down.”
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Duffy said some airlines may even choose to “ground their planes” if the government doesn’t reopen soon.
Airlines for America, a trade association representing major North American airlines, encouraged the House to pass the bill swiftly in a statement on Monday.
“Airlines’ reduced flight schedules cannot immediately bounce back to full capacity right after the government reopens,” wrote the association. “It will take time, and there will be residual effects for days. With the Thanksgiving travel period beginning next week and the busy shipping season around the corner, the time to act is now to help mitigate any further impacts to Americans.”
By Wednesday morning at 10 a.m., there were 24 delays and 43 cancellations at Logan Airport. The following is the number of delays and cancellations Logan has seen since the reduction of flights on Friday, according to FlightAware:
Friday: 241 delays and 43 cancellations
Saturday: 239 delays and 47 cancellations
Sunday: 440 delays and 107 cancellations
Monday: 534 delays and 163 cancellations
Tuesday: 346 delays and 87 cancellations
Readers have shared stories about cancelled and delayed flights over the past week and said they are worried about upcoming holiday travel.
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