Will Chattanooga be impacted by nationwide flight delays?
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Thousands of flights across America are facing delays or cancellations as a result of the federal government shutdown.
This is due to a FAA mandate to relieve pressure on air traffic controllers at major airports.
Even with a solution to the federal government shutdown pending, these delays or cancellations are continuing.
While we haven’t been able to confirm whether or not the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport has been impacted by these flight cancellations, aviation experts say that mid-sized airports such as this could feel the brunt of the shutdown if it isn’t remedied quickly.
In Chattanooga on Monday, there have been cancellations of flights to and from Chicago, Charlotte, and New York today, with delays on most other flights.
These were American and United Airlines flights.
We asked airport officials if this was due to the shutdown.
In a statement to News 12, they said quote, “That is a question that the affected airline needs to answer. We don’t have any accurate way to know what the actual cause was.”
Aviation expert Tia Minzoni says the issues at these larger airports are starting to trickle down to mid-sized airports.
Minzoni said, “So when they’re cancelling flights, they’re actually cancelling more flights to the smaller cities and hubs like yours because when they have to get crew and pilots from one place to another, they have to stick to their main hubs.”
She adds with the holiday travel season fast approaching, travelers need to be ready to make adjustments on the fly.
Minzoni said, “Try to get all of your items in carry ons. Try not to check a bag just in case something happens with that connecting flight and you need your luggage… Don’t only plan ahead, but have a back up plan.
She also adds that even when the federal government reopens, it may take some time for flying to resemble normal.
Minzoni said, “Luckily this isn’t the first time something crazy has happened in aviation. Every time we have something major happen there are adjustments that are made. So I think some airports will recover faster than others.”
Travelers are advised to continue checking with their airlines about the status of their flights if they plan in the next couple of weeks.
