Sorah Emory, Campus Carrier staff writer
The holidays are approaching, and the longest government shutdown in U.S. history has just ended. However, the effects of the shutdown are not expected to subside immediately, according to a USA Today news article.
The effects of the shutdown were most apparent in airports, a potential concern for students who have to travel by air to be home for the holidays.
During the government shutdown, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) placed mandatory flight restrictions at 40 major airports. These restrictions resulted in over 4,000 flight cancellations across the United States, according to USA Today. Because of these cuts, travelers were advised to closely monitor their flights in the event of cancellations.
Freshman Jessa McGhie said the shutdown’s lasting effect on airports was a major concern for her.
“My last flight was delayed nine hours,” McGhie said, describing her last airport experience in October. “There were workers everywhere trying to figure out flight cancellations. Imagine the busiest day you’ve been to the airport was doubled.”
McGhie fears not being able to go home this Thanksgiving.
“I was constantly worried that my flight was going to get canceled and I wouldn’t be able to get home and see my family for Thanksgiving,” McGhie said.
Freshman Kyra Eno said the prices for tickets back home to California were expensive. Eno has not been home since August.
“We constantly checked several different airlines because of limited flight availability and expensive flight prices,” Eno said.
The government shutdown officially ended on Nov. 12, but the FAA did not lift restrictions until Monday.
“[Monday’s] decision to rescind the order reflects the steady decline in staffing concerns across the NAS [National Airspace System] and allows us to return to normal operations,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said in a public statement.
Regarding prices during the holiday season, fares are forecast to be up 7% to 10% compared to a year ago, according to data from discount travel site Going.com. Fares for flights were already predicted to be higher this year, and the surge in demand now that airports are restoring normal operations could continue to drive flight prices up.
John Caroll, airport manager for Richard B. Russell Regional Airport (RMG) in Rome, gave a professional view of the government shutdown’s effects on airports beyond passenger travel.
Caroll described that major airport hubs with passenger flights were primarily affected by the FAA restrictions. Smaller regional airports with uncontrolled airfields, such as RMG Regional Airport, however, remains unaffected.
“Passenger flights and cargo flight services were primarily affected,” Carroll said.
Caroll said the delays go beyond passenger travel and have affected businesses that
utilize cargo travel.
Caroll said the government shutdown caused “ripple effects” throughout many aspects of the airport industry. However, he said he expects a fast recovery.
“I think that if the government gives an indication that they are working towards a budget to get us past the Jan. 30th deadline, people will go back to work as if everything is normal, and we will bounce right back,” Caroll said.
With federal operations stabilizing now after the end of the 43-day government shutdown, travelers can have restored confidence in making it home during this busy holiday season.
“[Federally paid workers] know they have a job to do, and it matters. We’re not just going to slow the world down because of this other thing happening,” Caroll said.