What should’ve been a short trip to Columbus, Ohio turned into a lengthy nightmare for Carlie Steen.

“Today, we’re on the plane, buckled up, ready to go and the door wouldn’t shut. So, we had to get off, they had to get another plane. That was gonna take three or four hours. So, we got rerouted to LaGuardia. Now, we have to take a care from LaGuardia to JFK to get our car which is at JFK. So, it’s been a weekend,” says Steen.

Unfortunately for her, there’s no end in sight for these disruptions.

What You Need To Know

  • Around 6% of flights were canceled Tuesday at 40 major airports, including LaGuardia, JFK and Newark

  • The cancellation rate is expected to rise to 10% by the end of the week

  • Tuesday marked a second missed payday for FAA employees and air traffic controllers

  • Travelers are facing mounting costs, delays and uncertainty as the shutdown continues

On Tuesday, 6% of flights were canceled at 40 major airports, including LaGuardia, John F. Kennedy International and Newark. That number is expected to climb to 10% by the end of the week, regardless of how long the government shutdown lasts.

“We are going to look at the data and make the best decisions possible to keep the traveling public safe. That’s what we’ve done. When that data changes, we’ll start taking down from 6, maybe 4, 2 and get back to normal air travel,” says Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

Tuesday also marked the second missed payday for air traffic controllers and other FAA employees. They’ve now gone 42 days without pay, forcing many to seek other jobs.

Frequent fliers say the delays and cancellations are taking a financial toll.

“It was supposed to leave Sunday, Sunday morning so, this is the fourth time. The fourth time it’s been cancelled,” says Zachary Gibson, who’s trying to fly home to Arkansas. “Especially being on a budget, it’s kind of hard when you don’t expect to stay longer than you’re supposed to so that’s kind of hard.”

Another traveler at LaGuardia found out mid-interview that her flight to Charlotte, North Carolina for her brother’s wedding was delayed. She even refrained from checking her bag in case it gets canceled.

“Indian weddings, it’s four days long so we have a lot of religious ceremonies starting tomorrow so I hope I can make it home on time,” said Mahathi Chaganti. “You are worried, you want to see family, it’s the holidays. A little anxious but we will prevail, hopefully.”

Flight cancellations at major airports are expected to climb to 8% by Thursday. It remains unclear how long it will take for air traffic controllers and other federal workers to receive back pay.