On Wednesday, aviation companies acknowledged that the measure could generate uncertainty and recommended passengers check flight statuses before heading to airports.
Earlier, the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced it would reduce air traffic starting Friday morning to maintain safety during the government shutdown.
Southwest Airlines stated it is “assessing how the government-planned flight restrictions” will affect flights and vowed to “communicate directly with customers as soon as possible.”
The airline emphasized the need for the U.S. Senate to “immediately resolve the impasse to restore the full capacity of the national airspace system.”
“We are working with the federal government to understand all details of the new reduction measure and will strive to mitigate impacts for passengers and cargo,” said the association Airlines for America.
Airports in Lisbon, Porto, and Ponta Delgada have regular air connections with the United States.
The FAA is facing a personnel shortage caused by air traffic controllers working without pay, with some missing work during the shutdown, resulting in flight delays nationwide.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford emphasized that the agency will not wait for the problem to arise before taking action, stating that the shutdown is putting pressure on staff, something that “cannot be ignored.”
“If the pressure continues to build even after taking these steps (…) we will revisit and take additional measures,” Bedford noted.
There have been numerous delays at airports nationwide, sometimes lasting hours, as the FAA temporarily reduces or halts traffic whenever controllers are unavailable.
The last weekend recorded some of the worst staffing shortages, with flights at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey experiencing several hours of delays on Sunday.
Transport Secretary Sean Duffy has already warned of possible air travel chaos next week if a new payment for air traffic controllers is missed, with unions pressuring Congress to reopen the government.
The debate over health subsidies is at the center of the Congressional deadlock between Republicans and Democrats, who have been unable to reach an agreement on a new budget.
Although Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, Democratic votes are needed to reach the 60 required to pass the budget.
