ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando International Airport is back to normal operations after FAA staffing caused delays and cancellations on Thursday night. The average delay for travelers on Thursday was 2.5 hours.
What You Need To Know
Experts say the biggest challenge for air travelers right now is the unpredictability
FAA staffing shortages have caused issues for flight times at Orlando International Airport and others across the country
Officials say that on any given day, there are 10 or more control towers across the country impacted and its a ripple effect from there
Experts say travelers should be prepared for these possible delays and cancellations throughout the federal government shutdown
It’s one of the issues many transportation experts warned of when the government shutdown first began earlier this month.
On Friday, there was improvement at the airport, but things can change quick, as flights have been impacted across the country.
“We are tired and stressed, but we are happy to see the palm trees,” said Heather Higgins, who arrived in Orlando from Maryland. She is finally in Florida for her Disney trip, but she needed more magic before she left Maryland.
“We were in line to be boarded for our plane, about 10 minutes later they said flight cancelled,” she said. “We couldn’t get our bags, we had to get a hotel room with just the clothes on our backs.”
While starting the trip can be an issue, to trying to get home can be a problem too.
“You know I really hadn’t thought about it that much and then impact,” said Utah resident Haley Peacock.
Her first flight was canceled and rebooked, then that flight got delayed.
“So, it is kind of a bummer,” Peacock said. “So, we missed Halloween with the kids.”
Instead of home for Halloween, it’s another hotel stay in Orlando.
“I am going to have to plan to be flexible,” Peacock said.
Experts say tthe biggest challenge for air travel is the unpredictability.
“We don’t know what is going to happen until it happens,” said Michael McCormick, an air traffic management professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
McCormick said airplanes don’t just rely on one control tower at takeoff and landing — there are also employees covering the regional radar system, TRACON. That regional system is what experienced the staffing issues on Thursday that led to delays and cancellation in Orlando.
“As the weeks have turned into months, we are seeing nine to 11 air traffic control facilities a day that are impacted,” McCormick said. “That has a ripple effect all the way across the system for both the airlines and for air traffic control.”
While travelers are frustrated, they understand the staffing struggles as the shutdown hits 31 days.
“I am a single mom, I get it, you got to prioritize, and your kids always come first so I can imagine the struggles they are going through right now,” Higgins said.
No matter where you are flying, experts say travelers should continually check with their airline for the latest information on their flight.
If you are booking a flight soon, they recommend picking an early morning flight, as delays can stack up throughout the day. But the best advice, during this unpredictable time, be prepared to be spending some extra time at the airport and have a backup plan.