Apple News Today Why flight cancellations could drag on long after the shutdown ends
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Nov 11, 2025 Lori Aratani, a national transportation reporter for The Washington Post, shares insights on the ongoing challenges facing the aviation industry after a government shutdown. She highlights a significant shortage of air traffic controllers, which could delay recovery efforts. Aratani also discusses the logistical hurdles airlines face in restoring schedules, as well as the impact of pay and morale issues among controllers. Additionally, she touches on the rise in car-loan delinquencies and the evolving landscape of the repossession industry, showcasing its human costs.
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Air Travel Recovery Will Be Slow
- The FAA's controller shortage and shutdown-driven absences mean flight disruptions will persist after funding resumes.
- Airlines and the FAA must reconfigure schedules and staffing, so travel recovery will be gradual and bumpy.
Frustrated Travelers At Crowded Gates
- Julie Gainsley described crowded gates and frustrated families waiting for hours because flights were canceled.
- The FAA was already about 3,000 controllers short before the shutdown intensified strain on workers.
Cancellations Rooted In Safety Signals
- FAA leaders say mandated flight reductions were driven by safety concerns and pilot reports of stressed controllers.
- Those confidential reports and data prompted cancellations beyond purely political or budget reasons.