Louisville air passengers brace for disruptions as government shutdown causes delays nationwide

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Travelers at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport are starting to feel the impact of a nationwide shortage of air traffic controllers, leading to delays and cancellations that could stretch on for weeks.

Louisville's airport is among 40 across the country affected by the shortage. On Monday, nearly 30 flights were delayed and seven were canceled, according to airport officials.

David Rowe and his wife were among the travelers caught in the ripple effect.

"The flight from here to Chicago was interrupted, but the flight from Chicago to Seattle was canceled," Rowe said.

The Federal Aviation Administration has been grappling with staffing shortages for months, but the recent government shutdown has intensified the issue. Even after the shutdown is resolved, officials said it could take weeks for the schedule to normalize.

Some passengers are nervous about what's ahead.

"I've got air travel booked through Dec. 4," Rowe said, adding that he's nervous for all his future trips.

On Monday, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social, urging air traffic controllers to "get back to work now," warning those who don't could be "substantially docked."

Other passengers reported smooth travel Monday but said they're worried about upcoming trips.

"Smooth as silk," said Henry Botto, who arrived from Philadelphia for bourbon tours in Louisville. "(It was) in the back of my mind — getting bumped, especially with smaller flights and smaller planes."

Louisville Tourism said it's monitoring the situation closely.

"Any reduction in direct flights to and from Louisville will inevitably affect meetings, conventions, events and leisure travel, which rely on accessible and consistent air service," a spokesperson said in a written statement Monday.

Airports nationwide are seeing about a 4% reduction in flights, which could rise to 10% by the weekend as the busy holiday travel season approaches.

Despite the challenges, some travelers are keeping a positive outlook.

"Louisville is not a bad place to get stranded, I guess," Botto said.

The North American International Livestock Expo, currently underway at the Kentucky Exposition Center, hasn't been significantly affected by the delays since most attendees drive in.

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