Sunday’s cancellation came as Republicans and Democrats reached a stopgap deal to end the government shutdown after an impasse over passing a funding bill entered its 40th day.
Travel disruption has increased since the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered air traffic reduced last week after reports of air traffic controllers showing fatigue and refusing to report to work, Al Jazeera reported.
About 13,000 air traffic controllers, who are considered “essential” employees under U.S. government regulations, have been working without pay since the shutdown began on October 1.
More than 3,300 U.S. flights were canceled Sunday and about 10,000 were delayed, according to data from aviation tracking website FlightAware.
After approximately 1,000 flights were canceled on Friday, more than 1,500 flights were canceled on Saturday.
Under the FAA’s phased air traffic reductions, airlines were ordered to reduce domestic flights by 4% starting Friday at 6 a.m. ET (11 p.m. Japan time).
Flights will be reduced by 6% starting Monday, 8% by Thursday and 10% by Friday.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned in a media interview Sunday that air travel could be disrupted ahead of Thanksgiving on Nov. 27.
MNA