Various airlines cancelled at least 945 flights altogether early Saturday as the longest government shutdown in the history of the United States continued. Over 3,300 flights traveling to, from, and within the US were delayed by Saturday afternoon, according to FlightAware.com. There were almost 130 cancellations and over 300 flight delays at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The Chicago O’Hare International Airport was closely behind 83 cancellations and 280 delays. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport was reported to have 56 cancellations and 189 delays, while John F. Kennedy International Airport has almost 50 cancellations and 300 delays, reported FlighAware.com.
If the shutdown continues, there may be another knock-on effect ahead of the holidays.
Besides, since nearly half of all US air freight is shipped in the bellies of passenger aircraft, the disruption could raise costs for shipping goods.
