Copyright New York Post
Air passengers could face travel Armageddon over the weekend if the government shutdown doesn’t end by then, Transportation Sec. Sean Duffy cautioned Tuesday. More than 10% of flights could be delayed nationally, Duffy warned – adding that some airlines may even decide to ground their fleets altogether. “You may find airlines that stop flying. Full stop,” Duffy said. And last weekend’s travel delays – which saw thousands of flights canceled and scores more delayed – would be “tiddlywinks” compared to what could happen between Friday and Monday if the government isn’t open again, Duffy said. Air traffic controllers have been calling in sick to work in droves as the shutdown continued over the weekend and reached its 42nd day Tuesday – meaning workers have gone weeks without pay. But the end seems finally to be in sight after the Senate approved a spending bill Monday, and a House vote was scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. From there, President Trump would need to sign the bill to re-open the government. Air traffic controllers would be furnished with 70% of their backpay within 48 hours of the re-opening, with the remaining sum coming within a week, Duffy said. But if Wednesday’s vote fails and the government remains shutdown for another weekend, Duffy said there would be “massively more disruption.” “It is going to radically slow down,” he said. “So the House has to do its work.”
