WMBCTV: Shutdown Over, But Flight Reductions Continue at Major Airports

Travelers are breathing a little easier now that the government shutdown is over but questions remain about when we will see relief to delays and cancelled flights at major airports. On the first day that TSA agents and air traffic controllers are returning to work, people here at Newark Liberty International Airport are waiting to see when things will return to normal. Nancy McKiernan, traveling to New Jersey from Denver says she’s relieved by her smooth travel experience so far. 

“Everything is very smooth, flight landed early,” said McKiernan. “I changed my flight three times so I’d say the government shutdown worked well for me because I was able to change it without any fees or anything and it was just to accommodate my schedule not because anything was canceled or anything, so everything has just gone great.”

Officials with the FAA as well as the DOT say flight cuts at 40 airports, including Newark, JFK and LaGuardia will remain at 6 percent instead of rising to 10 percent until they feel the skies are safely staffed again. Authorities say controllers will start getting back pay this week, but it could be several weeks before schedules return to normal.

“My niece is getting married tomorrow so I had to get here, but for some reason, I wasn’t really that concerned about it,” said McKiernan. “Maybe there weren't that many flights canceled in Denver but I just had a calmness about it and everything just worked out.” 

With no clear timeline on how long disruptions will last, officials with AAA are encouraging travelers to prepare backup options. They say to arrive at the airport extra early to have more room to make changes if needed and in the worst case scenario, have a plan b for transportation altogether. This may mean determining if you can drive or take another mode of transit to your destination.