US airports will take months to recover from the government shutdown

"The crisis at major U.S. airports, triggered by restrictions on air traffic resulting from the government shutdown, will worsen before it begins to improve. Although Congress is nearing approval of an agreement to reopen the federal government, officials warn that flights could be limited to a trickle before the Thanksgiving holiday at the end of the month, one of the busiest times for travel."

"The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an emergency order last Friday to gradually reduce the number of flights at 40 of the nation's major airports. The cuts began at 4%, increased to 6% this Tuesday, and will rise to 10% by next Friday, as a proactive measure to ensure traveler safety due to the strain on the system caused by staff reductions at air traffic control facilities, which have reached critical levels during the government shutdown."

Air traffic restrictions tied to the government shutdown forced the FAA to issue an emergency order to gradually reduce flights at 40 major U.S. airports. Flight cuts started at 4%, rose to 6% this week, and will reach 10% by next Friday, with officials warning reductions could hit 15% or more. Airlines must cancel flights seven days before travel dates under the order; international flights are not required to be cut. Staff reductions at air traffic control have strained the system and prompted limits to protect safety. Airports have seen long security lines, hours-long delays, and hundreds of cancellations, including 2,422 cancellations and 9,640 delays on Monday.

Read at english.elpais.com