Holiday travel might face challenges due to severe weather, according to Buttigieg's warning. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is taking initiatives to cope with potential flight disruptions.
During the press conference at Reagan National Airport, Buttigieg highlighted the adverse effects of winter weather on upcoming weeks. The FAA opened the military airspace and collaborated with the commercial space industry to curb private launches. The firm introduced 169 new Eastern seaboard routes to maintain smooth traffic flow.
Buttigieg praised the airline companies for their impressive performance during the Thanksgiving travel rush yet stressed the need for a reduction in flight delays. He pointed out the airline's limited control over the weather, but emphasized the possibility of their influence at a specific turning point, controlling additional cancellations and delays.
The U.S. Transportation Department slammed Southwest Airlines with a $140 million fine due to the prolonged disruption that started on December 21, causing 16,900 flight cancellations and stranding 2 million passengers.
The newly appointed FAA administrator, Mike Whitaker, has prioritized air safety since taking office eight weeks ago. The agency has been critized for lacking nearly 3,000 air traffic controllers, and Whitaker promised to work towards recruiting more.
In the spring, Whitaker announced the public inviting for applying at the FAA Air Traffic Control Training Center in Oklahoma City. Buttigieg warned about the potential threats of a government shutdown in January, which may jeopardize the achievements made in supporting air traffic. Training and employment would halt, leading to disturbances in air traffic.
Severe weather can adversely impact holiday travel by causing widespread flight cancellations and delays, disrupting ground transportation, and creating hazardous travel conditions. Measures being taken by airlines and travelers to mitigate potential issues include travel alerts, weather monitoring, and travel insurance. Additionally, infrastructure preparedness and preventive maintenance are crucial for entities like Metro-North to minimize the impact of severe weather on transportation systems.
