Holiday Travel Woes: Airline Delays and Road Congestion Reach New Heights
Airline delays and cancellations are worsening ahead of the July 4 holiday weekend, with nearly 1,300 flights delayed and 700 flights canceled in the US. Thunderstorms in the Northeast have compounded the disruptions, and the situation is expected to spread westward. On the East Coast, about 6,500 flights were delayed and 1,900 were canceled on Tuesday. The surge in travel, with passenger numbers nearing pre-pandemic levels, has put pressure on airlines struggling to keep up. Frustrated passengers have taken to social media to vent their frustrations, and if large numbers are stranded or delayed this weekend, federal officials and airlines may blame each other. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has criticized airlines for their customer service, while United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby blamed a shortage of air traffic controllers for disruptions at its Newark hub. The FAA has admitted to being understaffed and lacking a plan to address the problem.