Air travel disruptions continue across the United States, with officials warning that delays and cancellations could last for several days after the government shutdown ends. As of Thursday morning, at least 989 flights had been canceled, according to FlightAware. Airlines for America President and CEO Chris Sununu stated that it might take up to a week for air travel to return to normal operations following the shutdown.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has implemented a 6% reduction in scheduled flights at 40 of the busiest airports. This decision comes after the FAA initially planned to increase flight reductions to 8% on Thursday. The agency issued an emergency order on Wednesday evening to freeze these reductions at the current level. The order affects major hubs, including Atlanta, Denver, and Chicago, and is in place to alleviate pressure on air traffic controllers, many of whom are working without pay due to the ongoing shutdown.

On Tuesday, over 2,100 flights were canceled, and more than 6,800 were delayed. The situation improved slightly on Wednesday, with fewer cancellations and delays reported. However, the FAA noted that the staffing situation remains a concern, with only minimal staffing shortages reported in air traffic control towers.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expressed cautious optimism, stating, "The FAA safety team is encouraged to see our air traffic control staffing surge, and they feel comfortable with pausing the reduction schedule to give us time to review the airspace." He emphasized that safety remains the top priority and that any changes to flight operations will be guided by data.

Despite the disruptions, Sununu reassured travelers that the Thanksgiving travel period should not be significantly affected. He noted, "I don’t think any flights over the Thanksgiving week have actually been canceled yet. I think the airlines have been pretty tight working with the FAA looking a few days out to be sure."

However, consumer confidence in travel has declined during the shutdown. A survey by the American Hotel and Lodging Association revealed that nearly 20% of Americans have altered their Thanksgiving travel plans due to concerns about the ongoing disruptions. Rosanna Maietta, the association's President and CEO, stated, "Our poll has shown that consumer confidence has impacted travel, and concerns about that have led to some changes."

As the government shutdown continues, the FAA's flight reductions will remain in effect until it is deemed safe to return to normal operations. The situation is being closely monitored, and officials are hopeful for a gradual return to normalcy in the coming days. Travelers are advised to stay informed about their flight status as the situation evolves.