“停摆”加剧航班限流 美国民众出行难

Core Points - The ongoing federal government shutdown has led to a significant shortage of air traffic controllers, resulting in a mass retirement wave and operational challenges for the aviation industry [1][2] - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reported a staffing shortfall of 1,000 to 2,000 air traffic controllers, exacerbated by over 13,000 controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers working without pay for 40 days [2] - The impact of the shutdown has caused over 4 million travelers to have their travel plans affected, with significant flight cancellations and delays reported across major airports [3][4] Group 1: Air Traffic Control Shortage - The FAA has indicated that up to 12 air traffic control towers are understaffed, with retirements increasing from about 4 per day to between 15 and 20 due to the shutdown [2] - If the shutdown continues, the FAA may request a reduction of up to 20% in air travel capacity due to the increasing number of absent air traffic controllers [2] Group 2: Impact on Travelers - On November 9, over 2,800 flights were canceled and more than 10,000 flights were delayed, marking the most severe day since the shutdown began on October 1 [3] - Major airports like Newark Liberty International and LaGuardia have seen significant disruptions, with 27% of departing flights canceled and over half of flights delayed, respectively [3] Group 3: Economic Implications - The shutdown's impact on air travel could threaten U.S. economic growth, particularly during the critical holiday season, which is a peak time for consumer spending [4] - The American Airlines Association estimates that the economic loss due to the shutdown could range from $285 million to $580 million per day by November 14 [4]