Shutdown snags airline travel. How to check a flight status in Indiana
A different government shutdown? Here’s what we know now
The federal government has shut down again, but how is it different than the past 20? Here’s what we know now.
As the federal government shutdown lingers on, passengers at major airports across the country might start to worry if it could impact their travel plans.
Federal air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers are considered “essential,” meaning these federal employees are expected to keep working despite not receiving a paycheck. They’re supposed to get back-pay once the shutdown is lifted.
Impacts on air travel have been negligible so far.
How is the shutdown affecting air travel?
USA TODAY journalists who traveled over the weekend reported that lines at TSA checkpoints were normal at multiple airports. Data from FlightAware showed just 32 flight cancellations nationwide on Saturday and 70 on Sunday.
Still, the longer the shutdown drags on, the more likely disruptions become.
Some airports seeing ‘increased number of sick calls’
In a press conference at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey on Oct. 6, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said some air traffic control facilities were already seeing increased numbers of sick calls.
Duffy, however, added that the absences were isolated, and the agency is prepared to slow air traffic as needed to meet controller staffing levels.
“One facility one day, another facility another day, some areas have seen a 50% reduction in some of the staffing,” Duffy said. “We take the appropriate action to make sure our skies are safe … If we see those issues in the tower that are affecting controllers’ ability to effectively control the airspace, we’ll reduce the rate, and you can see more delays or you can see a cancellation.”
Check your flight status at Indianapolis International Airport
Travelers to Indianapolis International Airport can check their flight status online for both arrivals and departures at the airport’s official website.
Is my flight arriving on time? See current Indy Airport arrivals
Is my flight leaving on time? See current Indy Airport departures
Contributing: Josh Rivera and Eve Chen, USA TODAY
Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at [email protected].
John Tufts covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip at [email protected]. Find him on BlueSky at JohnWritesStuff.
link
