As the government shutdown enters its second week, many travelers are beginning to worry about the effects on their upcoming air travel. With Chicago’s O’Hare Airport being one of the busiest in the country, any delays could potentially impact thousands of travelers.
Federal air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers are considered “essential,” meaning these federal employees are expected to keep working despite not receiving a paycheck. They’re supposed to get back-pay once the shutdown is lifted.
Here’s what to expect on your next flight.
Is air travel affected by the shutdown?
USA TODAY journalists who traveled over the weekend reported that lines at TSA checkpoints were normal at multiple airports. Data from FlightAware showed just 32 flight cancellations nationwide on Saturday and 70 on Sunday.
Still, the longer the shutdown drags on, the more likely disruptions become.
Some airports experiencing ‘increased number of sick calls’
In a press conference at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey on Oct. 6, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said some air traffic control facilities were already seeing increased numbers of sick calls.
Duffy, however, added that the absences were isolated, and the agency is prepared to slow air traffic as needed to meet controller staffing levels.
“One facility one day, another facility another day, some areas have seen a 50% reduction in some of the staffing,” Duffy said. “We take the appropriate action to make sure our skies are safe … If we see those issues in the tower that are affecting controllers’ ability to effectively control the airspace, we’ll reduce the rate, and you can see more delays or you can see a cancellation.”
Check your flight status at O’Hare International Airport
Travelers to O’Hare Airport can check their flight status online for both arrivals and departures at the airport’s official website.
Check your flight status at Midway Airport
Travelers to Midway can similarly check their flight status online for both arrivals and departures on the airport’s website.
O’Hare struck by delays in face of continuing shutdown
O’Hare issued a Ground Delay Program between 6-10:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 7, in order to control air overwhelming air traffic demand. The move forces air traffic control to combine positions and space flights further apart to control capacity and ensure safety, according to NBC Chicago. As a result, the airport saw an average departing flight delay of 41 minutes.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the Chicagoland airport was hit by staffing shortages with air traffic control facilities and towers, as air traffic controllers are considered essential but currently not being paid.
Joey Garrison, Bart Jansen and Zac Anderson contributed to this article.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Are flights out of O’Hare, Midway affected by shutdown? How to check your flight status
Reporting by Hannah Hudnall, John Tufts and Zach Wichter, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
