SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Amid the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, air travel across the nation is suffering. As of Tuesday, Nov. 12, flight cuts across the U.S. are up to 6%, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. This left travelers to deal with over 1,500 cancellations and 12,000 delays just by midday.
While the Syracuse Hancock International Airport is not one of the major 40 airports affected, travelers are still dealing with cancellations and delays, leading to travel nightmares for some. Peyton Armstrong, a member of Syracuse’s women’s hockey team experienced them firsthand.
“After our game on Saturday, we were supposed to go to the airport and get on our flight, but our flight had been canceled,” Armstrong said. “We split into two groups and we got onto two different flights to Chicago and we stayed the night there.”
Even though the end of the government shutdown seems to be in sight, effects on air travel are expected to last slightly longer. Seth Kaplan, transportation analyst for NPR, said when the government reopens, airlines will need time to recover from a long stretch of chaos.
“What you have is a lot of just planes and people out of position. So, even once you have fully staffed control towers again, for example, and fully staffed TSA checkpoints, it takes a little while for the airlines themselves to recover,” Kaplan explained.
Kaplan expects the majority of flight disruptions to be resolved in time for Thanksgiving travel.
The bill passed by the Senate to end the government shutdown still needs to pass the House and the President to be approved as law.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Syracuse Airport experiences cancellations and delays amid government shutdown
Damon Thompson: As the government shutdown continues, flight cancellations are up to 6% nationwide. Travelers flying in and out of the Syracuse airport have been affected as a result. Our Lauren Holdmeyer joins us now live from the airport with the latest on how flights are being impacted. Good evening, Lauren.
Lauren Holdmeyer: Good evening, Damon. Yeah, that’s right. The government shutdown is still looming and flights across the nation are suffering as a result. Take a look at some of the flights here at the Syracuse airport that have been impacted tonight. We have this United flight headed to Chicago O’Hare scheduled to take off at 5:27 p.m. that’s been canceled. And then another Delta flight headed to JFK supposed to take off at 4:07. It’s been delayed over two hours, now not taking off until 6:10 p.m. And today we spoke with some of the passengers here at the Syracuse airport that have been affected by these delays and cancellations and to say they’re frustrated would be an understatement.
Holdmeyer: In an unprecedented day 42 of the government shutdown, air travelers are growing more frustrated.
Josh Clendenning: I don’t think it’s the customer’s problem, I think it’s the airline’s because they should have prepared a little better.
Holdmeyer: Travelers across the nation facing over 11 thousand delays today – and fifteen hundred cancellations. Customers right here in syracuse feeling the impacts.
Peyton Armstrong: After our game on Saturday, we were supposed to go to the airport and get on our flight. But our flight had been canceled. We split into two groups and we got onto two different flights to Chicago and we stayed the night there.
Holdmeyer: Last night the senate passing a bill toward ending the shutdown, but the airspace still struggling today. Experts saying even when the shutdown does end, airlines will need to recover.
Seth Kaplan: What you have is a lot of just planes and people out of position. So, even once you have fully staffed control towers again, for example, and fully staffed TSA checkpoints, it takes a little while for the airlines themselves to recover.
Holdmeyer: Passengers at Syracuse International not just dealing with cancellations and delays – but longer waits as a result.
Leisl Duchatle: The security line was a lot longer than it usually is. There were maybe two officers at work, so you could definitely tell they are short staffed.
Holdmeyer: Those planning travel in the coming days should stay prepared.
Kaplan: Help the airline help you to where, to get where you’re going or at least near where you’re going. Whatever flexibility you have, you want to tell them that.
Holdmeyer: And with the end of the government shutdown seemingly in sight, these flights should start to get back to normal, maybe even as early as this weekend. But of course, now we have the weather to worry about as well. In Syracuse tonight, Lauren Holdmeyer, NCC News.