American airlines have canceled 1000 flights due to the US government shutdown. This is reported by Associated Press.
More flights are expected to be canceled next week at the busiest US airports due to an order from the Federal Aviation Administration.
This order was adopted in response to the fact that air traffic controllers, who have not been paid their salaries for almost a month, are increasingly being dismissed from their jobs.
Passengers reportedly faced last-minute flight cancellations and long lines for security checks at 40 US airports, including hubs in Atlanta, Dallas, Denver and Charlotte, North Carolina.
Airlines expect limited disruptions this weekend and stress that international flights will not be affected.
But according to US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, if the lockdown lasts longer, even more controllers will be laid off due to the lack of a second consecutive salary. Therefore, the number of canceled flights could increase from 10% to 15% and even to 20%.
