Travelers preparing to take to the skies this Thanksgiving week may encounter flight delays, particularly in the New York City area, due to air traffic controller shortages, FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker announced.
"If we're short on staff, we will slow traffic as necessary to keep the system safe," Whitaker stated during a press briefing ahead of the holiday travel rush.
A Record-Breaking Holiday Travel Week
The AAA has predicted a significant increase in holiday air travel, with 5.84 million passengers expected to fly in the U.S. this week, up from 5.73 million last year. Tuesday is projected to be the busiest travel day, with the FAA anticipating over 50,000 flight operations. Other peak travel days include Wednesday, Sunday, and Monday.
Despite the high travel volume, the week began smoothly. According to FlightAware, only 68 flights within, to, or from the U.S. were canceled on Monday, with similarly low cancellation and delay rates reported on Tuesday morning.
Shortages Prompt Traffic Management in NYC
Whitaker emphasized that the FAA might need to implement traffic management measures in the New York City area due to staff shortages. "We're working diligently to make sure that can happen as efficiently as possible," he added.
The FAA aims to address long-term staffing issues by hiring 2,000 air traffic controllers during the current fiscal year, which ends in September 2024.
As millions take to the skies for the holiday, travelers are advised to remain flexible and prepared for potential disruptions, particularly in high-traffic regions.
