The impact of the U.S. government shutdown continues to escalate, with widespread flight delays and cancellations across the country. According to flight-tracking data, over 6,000 flights were delayed and more than 1,000 were canceled on October 30 alone. Vice President Vance warned that if the shutdown persists into the Thanksgiving travel season in late November, the aviation sector could face a "disaster."
A report from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that the shutdown costs the U.S. economy approximately $7 billion monthly, with these losses being irrecoverable even after the government reopens.
Vice President Vance emphasized the potential for severe disruptions, including air traffic controller shortages, increased flight delays, and longer security wait times at airports. Transportation Secretary Duffy echoed these concerns, noting that while October is a slower travel month, demand will surge in November, exacerbating the situation.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) briefly issued ground-stop orders for Washington Reagan National Airport and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. The shutdown has forced around 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA employees to work without pay, leading to rising absenteeism. Duffy revealed that 44% and 24% of flight delays on October 26 and 27, respectively, were due to controller shortages—far above the pre-shutdown average of 5%.
Major airlines, including Delta, United, Southwest, and American, have urged Congress to pass a clean continuing resolution (CR) to reopen the government and address policy disputes separately. United CEO Scott Kirby warned of economic strain and declining bookings, while Delta highlighted operational inefficiencies causing daily delays for millions of passengers.
The shutdown, now in its 31st day, has delayed key economic data releases, including Q3 GDP figures, leaving policymakers and businesses in the dark. Federal Reserve Chair Powell acknowledged the lack of detailed economic insights, suggesting the data gap could influence December’s rate decision.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce reported $12 billion in losses for federal contractors and $3 billion weekly for small businesses. The CBO projected a 1-2 percentage point decline in Q4 GDP growth, with unrecoverable losses ranging from $7 billion to $14 billion depending on the shutdown’s duration.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore declared a state of emergency, allocating $10 million to mitigate risks to food assistance programs. Meanwhile, the Senate rejected a funding bill for the 13th time, with Minority Leader Chuck Schumer predicting the shutdown could extend into November. House Speaker Johnson warned it may become the longest in U.S. history.