The ongoing U.S. government shutdown has entered its second month and is now the longest in history. This situation is beginning to significantly affect the aviation sector, and we want to ensure you are informed about potential implications for our operations and customers.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced it will reduce domestic air traffic by up to 10% across 40 high-volume markets due to staffing shortages. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and air traffic control personnel are working unpaid, leading to rising absenteeism, longer security lines, and delays exceeding 30% at major airports.
Airlines are prioritizing hub-to-hub and international routes; regional and non-hub flights face rolling delays and cancellations. The FAA will halt air traffic if safety conditions deteriorate. Feedback from carriers thus far is that long-haul international flights are expected to remain unaffected.
Real-time updates will be issued via EXPO Now.
In the meantime, Expeditors Air Product is coordinating with carriers and monitoring for any schedule adjustments. Please reach out to your
local Expeditors contact with any questions.