The government shutdown may be over, and airports aren’t facing flight restrictions, but the busy Thanksgiving travel season is less than a week away.
“AAA projects 81.8 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Thanksgiving holiday period from Tuesday, Nov. 25 to Monday, Dec. 1.: Of those, 6.07 million are expected to fly, AAA said.
So how are Florida airports doing, especially since there remains a shortage of air traffic controllers?
Here’s how conditions look Tuesday morning, Nov. 18.
How many airline delays, cancellations reported into and out of US Nov. 18?
According to FlightAware.com, which provides real-time flight information, the following delays and cancellations of flights have been reported within, into or out of the United States as of 7 a.m. Nov. 18:
➤ Current conditions today
How many delays, cancellations reported today at Florida airports?
Here’s the breakdown by airport as of early Nov. 18:
APF, Naples Municipal Airport
➤ Current conditions at APF
DAB, Daytona Beach International Airport
➤ Current conditions at DAB
ECP, Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport
➤ Current conditions at ECP
EYW, Key West International Airport
➤ Current conditions at EYW
FLL, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
➤ Current conditions at FLL
GNV, Gainesville Regional Airport
➤ Current conditions at GNV
JAX, Jacksonville International Airport
➤ Current conditions at JAX
MCO, Orlando International Airport
➤ Current conditions at MCO
MIA, Miami International Airport
➤ Current conditions at MIA
MLB, Melbourne Orlando International Airport
➤ Current conditions at MLB
PBI, West Palm Beach International Airport
➤ Current conditions at PBI
PIE, St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport
➤ Current conditions at PIE
PGD, Punta Gorda Airport
➤ Current conditions at PGD
PNS, Pensacola International Airport
➤ Current conditions at PNS
RSW, Southwest Florida International Airport
➤ Current conditions at RSW
SFB, Orlando Sanford International Airport
➤ Current conditions at SFB
SGJ, St. Augustine Airport
➤ Current conditions at SGJ
SRQ, Sarasota Bradenton International Airport
➤ Current conditions at SRQ
TLH, Tallahassee International Airport
➤ Current conditions at TLH
TPA, Tampa International Airport
➤ Current conditions at TPA
VPS, Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport
➤ Current conditions at VPS
VRB, Vero Beach Regional Airport
➤ Current conditions at VRB
If shutdown had continued, 4 Florida airports faced reduced flights
Four Florida airports were among 40 across the U.S. that faced reduced flight schedules if the government had continued. Those flight restrictions were lifted Monday, Nov. 17.
Some air traffic controllers to get $10,000 bonuses
Kristi Noem, secretary of Homeland Security, announced Nov. 13 Transportation Security Administration workers who provided “exemplary” service during the shutdown would receive $10,000 bonuses.
“Their unsung patriotism deserves recognition,” Noem said.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy repeated Trump’s pledge to give air traffic controllers with perfect attendance during the shutdown each a $10,000 bonus – and said they should get it from the president personally at the White House.
Duffy said nearly 20,000 flights were delayed during the shutdown due to short staffing.
Shortage of air traffic controllers continues
Controllers in many facilities were working mandatory overtime even before the shutdown due to longstanding FAA staffing shortages. The Department of Transportation, under multiple administrations, has struggled to attract sufficient numbers of recruits.
In March, the FAA was about 3,500 air traffic controllers short of targeted staffing levels and announced plans to hire 2,000 trainees in 2025.
Contributing: Reuters, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Flying for Thanksgiving? See current delays, cancellations at Florida airports
Reporting by Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
