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Several flights departing from Syracuse Hancock International Airport were canceled on Monday (November 10) due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. Among the canceled flights were two to New York City, and one each to Atlanta, Detroit, and Washington, D.C. Although Syracuse was not listed among the airports where the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced flight reductions, it appears that cancellations at other major airports have indirectly affected flights from Syracuse.
The federal shutdown, which began on October 1, has led to significant disruptions in air travel across the country. On Monday, over 8,700 flights within, into, or out of the United States were delayed, and more than 2,300 were canceled, according to CNY Central. The FAA has mandated airlines to reduce flights by up to 10% at the nation's busiest airports, impacting connections to and from smaller airports like Syracuse.
Noah Wright, an aerospace engineer affected by the shutdown, expressed concern about the situation, stating, "I think they’re gonna slow everything down so they can continue to be safe." As reported by LocalSYR, Wright faced a three-hour delay on his flight, while other passengers like Peter Gallo experienced cancellations, leaving them stranded.
Syracuse Hancock International Airport, which connects to 19 of the 40 affected major hubs, is feeling the ripple effects of the shutdown. Tashira Scott, a United Airlines ticket counter agent, noted that 70% of Syracuse flights rely on connections at these major airports. Gregory Maslak, a volunteer ambassador at the airport, warned that the situation could worsen as flight reductions increase.
While negotiations to end the shutdown are ongoing, the uncertainty continues to affect travel plans. Passengers are advised to monitor their flight status closely and consider alternative travel arrangements if necessary.