Copyright Live 5 News WCSC
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Air traffic strains stemming from shutdown-induced limits at 40 major airports in the United States are set to cause more woes for weary Lowcountry travelers Tuesday. Before the sun was up, Charleston International Airport already had five delayed departing flights and seven canceled departures, as well as nine delayed arrivals and nine canceled arrivals. These numbers are expected to rise and fluctuate throughout the day. This comes as Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has called on members of the House of Representatives to return to Washington, D.C. at once to vote on a Senate-passed measure to end the government shutdown, which is on its 42nd day. The shutdown left federal employees across the country to be furloughed or work without pay, something that crippled travel as air traffic controller shortages led to restrictions from the United States Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration on the number of flights to and from major airports. While Charleston International Airport was not one of those airports with flight reductions, the impact is still one that travelers in and out of the area are feeling as these cuts, which are increasing incrementally by the day, make themselves known for those trying to reach major travel and layover destinations or trying to return home. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that a continued shutdown could negatively impact holiday travel. The House is expected to vote Wednesday on the recent measure negotiated between Republicans and a handful of moderate Democrats looking to ease the pains the shutdown has had on their constituents, including a historic lapse in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and other anti-hunger benefits. Those traveling through Charleston International Airport are urged to continue to check the status of their flights here. Airports in Charlotte and Atlanta, which are popular locations for connecting flights between Charleston and other destinations, continue to see limitations, which could also effect plans for those expecting to take multiple flights as a part of their upcoming travel.
