Dallas air travelers optimistic about holiday plans despite continued FAA reductions
How reopening the government affects flights
The air travel system is pushing to return to business as usual. But it will take several days to get the process going. The FAA says flight cuts will stay at 6% for now to allow time for more air traffic controllers and TSA agents to come back to work.
DALLAS - Now that the longest government shutdown in history has ended, many are wondering if their travel plans for the holidays will be affected in the aftermath.
FOX 4 talked to Dallas-area travelers Thursday who were, of course, relieved to hear that the government shutdown is over.
Government shutdown ends
The latest:
Wednesday night, Congress finally passed a government funding bill and sent it to President Donald Trump's desk to be signed, officially ending the 43-day shutdown of the federal government.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says the current 6 percent reduction of federal air staff will stay in place while officials assess whether the air traffic system can safely return to normal operations. Duffy did not give a timeline as to when that might change.
The FAA has not said when airlines might be able to resume their full schedules.
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Air traffic control crisis causes major delays and cancellations at Texas airports
Major flight delays and cancellations are hitting Dallas airports (DFW, Love Field) after the FAA ordered schedule reductions due to air traffic control staffing shortages.
Fort Worth-based American Airlines says they look forward to serving customers with a full schedule, especially in advance of the Thanksgiving and year-end holidays.
Dallas-based Southwest Airlines, as well as Delta Airlines, say they hope to be back to operating at full capacity within the next few days.
Air travelers weigh in
What they're saying:
At Dallas Love Field, there were very few cancellations on the board. The same was true at DFW Airport.
"We're less nervous that we're not going to get stuck and be able to get back home," said traveler Olivia Price.
"We're really happy for the people who are going back to work, those who worked during the shutdown," said traveler Shelly Bailey.
"You know, I was a little hesitant, but now that things are getting back to normal, I'm looking forward to traveling. My niece, she actually works for TSA, so I'm happy she's getting paid. So it's looking pretty good, looking forward to getting back to traveling," said Woody Robinson, who's traveling back home to LA.
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Dallas, Houston airports among those to see flights cut amid government shutdown
Airports in Dallas and Houston are among those that will see flight cuts by the Federal Aviation Administration to reduce air traffic beginning Friday amid the ongoing government shutdown.
Disruptions could continue
The other side:
Despite the encouraging news, U.S. airlines aren't out of the turbulence just yet.
"You know, we are ready at DFW, we're ready at American Airlines, and how we gear up now will really depend upon sort of ATC staffing, certainly abiding by sort of the government, what we put in place as far as scheduling goes with the government. And we're just ready to go as soon as all of that gets lifted," said Senior Vice President of American Airlines Jim Moses.
Travel expert Gabe Saglie says this uncertainty could lead to less air travel in the immediate future.
"A lot of people perhaps are starting to recalibrate how or if they're going to be flying over the next few days," said Saglie.
"Part of what's tough here is that we don't know how long this is going to last," Saglie continued.
What's next:
Thursday, the Homeland Security Secretary announced that TSA agents who stayed on the job during the nation's largest shutdown will each get $10,000 bonuses.
The Source: Information in this update comes from FOX 4 interviews with Dallas-area travelers and public statements by U.S. officials.