Flight cancellations, delays continue during shutdown

AUSTIN (KXAN) —  Airlines have started to cancel hundreds of flights as they comply with the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) order to reduce air traffic.

The change is due to the government shutdown and applies to 40 of the nations busiest airports.

The United States Department of Transportation said this past weekend, there were 2,740 delays at various airports.   

While Austin is not on the list, the airport released a statement saying “changes to AUS flight schedules are expected”.

These impacts go beyond just the people traveling, the longer the shutdown continues the more you will see impacts to the local economy.

“It is one of those things that very quickly mushrooms out the longer it goes on,” said Matt Patton with Angelou Economics. “Because those are people coming into the area, they are spending money, those are tax dollars that aren’t collected if there are disruptions to those events.”

One event that could feel the impact is the Texas Book Festival, which starts Saturday, one day after the FAA’s order to reduce air traffic.

“We are currently dealing with some last minute author cancellations due to the shutdown and some of the airport delays and cancellations,” said Hannah Gabel, literary director of the Texas Book Festival.

Regardless of what happens Gabel said they will roll with the punches and still expect a good time, but she’s hoping the shutdown will end soon.

“Whatever the case may be we are going to have a great festival and even if there are some cancellations there are some really great Texas authors,” Gabel said.

How will the flight reductions impact delivery services?

KXAN reached out to a few mail carriers and delivery services to see if they are expecting any delays.

Fedex got back to us, and a spokesperson with the company sent us this statement:

“We are monitoring the FAA’s plans to adjust flight capacity across the U.S. and are developing the necessary operational modifications to ensure our shipments continue to move safely and swiftly through our network. Our contingency plans will flex our integrated air and ground network to help protect time-sensitive, critical shipments such as lifesaving pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and other products moving through our network.”