Staffing shortages hit airlines amidst high demands

Airlines and airports across the country are dealing with high demand, bad weather and staffing shortages. Passengers faced canceled or delayed flights on Saturday as airlines amidst the holiday weekend rush. As of Saturday, around 650 flights were canceled in the US and more than 5,200 flights within, into, or out of the country had been delayed, according to a flight-tracking website. 

The travel demand was much higher than on a typical travel day.  The number of travelers over the 4th of July weekend had reached pre-pandemic levels. Airlines are scrambling to keep up with schedules as they struggle with pilot shortages as well. Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and American Airlines were among some carriers who were affected.

Delta said it would let passengers reschedule flights from July 1 through July 4 with no fare change if they are traveling between the same origin and destination. United Airlines also blamed weather and air traffic control programs for its delays. American Airlines was met with a computer glitch in its pilot trip trading system that, the airline said, allowed some trip trading that “shouldn’t have been permitted.” 

Source: The New York Times