Government Shutdown May Affect Fall Break Plans

Belmont Vision Multimedia, Zach Watkins

The Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground stop and a ground delay at Nashville International Airport on Tuesday night; affecting 296 flights and approximately 39,000 passengers. 

“Flights arriving and departing from Nashville International Airport will be reduced beginning at 2:30 p.m. due to a shortage of air traffic controllers. This reduction will remain in effect until further notice,” according to a statement from BNA. 

This issue isn’t just affecting Nashville, either. Boston, Dallas, Chicago and Philadelphia are facing staffing issues, as well as its air traffic control centers in Atlanta, Houston and the Dallas-Fort Worth area. 

For travelers like Maddie Murdock, the delays are more than inconvenient; they are disappointing. 

"I didn’t think the government shutdown would impact so much of my fall break plans...I didn’t think it would hit every aspect of what I was doing,” Murdock said. 

Much like Murdock, freshman Mackenzie Wacyk also believes she will be impacted. 

“I'm worried I'm going to either miss my flight or have to wait a very, very long time to go home... I'm worried that it's not going to be fine,” she said. “I just want to go home to see my dog.” 

Students planning to fly out of Nashville this week are encouraged to check flight statuses before heading to the airport and allow extra time for delays and cancellations. 

For real-time flight impacts, visit the FAA website. 

This article was written by Emily Garver