Thousands of travelers are stranded at South Florida airports as a combination of factors, including severe weather, spring break crowds and staffing shortages related to the government shutdown, have halted travel plans.
It is reported that the delay may extend until Thursday, March 19 or longer.
At Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport there is a chaotic scene with hundreds of frustrated travelers.
The chaos is mainly due to deadly tornadoes that hit the South and snowstorms in the Midwest. Taking into account the severe weather conditions, almost 4,800 flights were canceled throughout the country on Monday, March 16 alone.
However, weather is not the only factor. A partial government shutdown has caused TSA agents (who work without pay) to call in sick en masse, and at some airports absenteeism rates rise from 2% to more than 21%.
TSA Acting Deputy Administrator Adam Stahl warned that if the situation continues, “it’s not a stretch to suggest we might have to literally shut down airports.”
As of Tuesday night, FLL had 103 cancellations and 384 delays, while Miami International Airport had 49 cancellations and 429 delays.
For people like Alajah Buchanan, who has been stranded at the airport since March 16, the delay seems endless.
Travelers are advised to contact their airlines before heading to the airport as the situation is expected to cause extensive delays.
