Over 5,000 Flights Canceled Amid US Holiday Travel Chaos...

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 20th (local time), more than 5,000 flights were canceled during the Juneteenth holiday weekend in the United States, causing a repeat of the aviation chaos.

According to the report, this aviation chaos occurred during the holiday period when Juneteenth and Father's Day overlapped. This was the result of a combination of severe weather in the U.S., airline staff shortages, and airport air traffic controller shortages.

On Thursday the 16th last week, 6% of all flights in the U.S. were canceled. On Friday the 17th, nearly one-third of domestic flights in the U.S. were delayed. Flight tracking site FlightAware reported that on Sunday the 19th, more than 900 flights, accounting for about 3% of all flights, were canceled, and over 6,000 flights were delayed. On Saturday the 18th, delayed departures also exceeded 6,400 flights.

Among U.S. airlines, Delta Air Lines was hit the hardest. FlightAware also reported that United Airlines and American Airlines experienced a sharp increase in cancellations and delays. Delta Air Lines stated in a press release, "Various factors such as air traffic control, weather, and unexpected absences of some employees continue to affect our operations." The airline has already reduced hundreds of flights to prevent operational disruptions.

Regionally, the three major airports around New York (LaGuardia, JFK, Newark), as well as Atlanta and Boston airports, experienced the most domestic flight delays and cancellations.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated that cancellations are calming down in most areas as the weather improves and the number of travelers decreases. However, there are significant concerns that these cancellations will recur due to a surge in revenge travel demand following the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg met with airline executives last week and urged them to prepare well for the peak season, including the early July Independence Day holiday, but flights were canceled the next day, forcing travelers to resort to car travel.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.