• Nearly 1,200 flights were canceled on Tuesday due to air traffic control staffing shortages.
• Flight disruptions are expected to persist even after the government reopens.
• The FAA has reduced daily flight schedules by up to 10% at major airports.
• Transportation Secretary Duffy warned of potential airline groundings if the shutdown continues.
• Air traffic control staffing levels remain a critical concern with around 3,500 positions unfilled.

Ongoing disruptions in air travel are noticeable across the United States as approximately 1,200 flights were cancelled on Tuesday due to staffing shortages at air traffic control facilities amid the record 42-day government shutdown. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had instructed airlines to reduce their flight schedules, leading to cancellations and massive delays for passengers. The situation improved slightly on Tuesday, with only 1,700 delays reported, yet the FAA continues to expect temporary cuts in flights to remain even after the shutdown ends, according to NPR and India Times.

By the end of the week, adjustments in flight schedules are anticipated, with cuts projected to reach approximately 10% at some of the nation's busiest airports. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy indicated that any improvements depend on air traffic controllers returning to work, as many absences and staffing triggers have impacted daily operations significantly. On Saturday alone, there were about 81 staffing issues reported which dropped to just four by Tuesday evening, indicating a small improvement, according to CBS News.

Transportation Secretary Duffy reiterated that lifting restrictions will not be swift following a government resolution. He emphasized that any reverse in flight restrictions would be methodical, relying on data concerning air traffic safety. "We're going to wait to see the data on our end before we take out the restrictions in travel," he stated at a press conference, highlighting the cautious approach air traffic management will take to ensure safety for travelers, according to India Times and NPR.

If lawmakers do not end the shutdown soon, the risks of more substantial flight disruptions loom larger as major airlines may have to pause operations entirely. Duffy warned of the possibility of airlines saying, "We're going to ground our planes, we're not going to fly anymore," demonstrating the critical nature of the current situation faced by both the aviation industry and passengers, as reported by CBS News and India Times.