Spokane airport sees 8 flight cancellations amid nationwide travel disruptions

SPOKANE, Wash. — Even when the government shutdown ends, its impact will linger, particularly on air travel.

The Department of Transportation just announced that flight reductions at 40 of the country’s airports will remain at 6 percent through this week. While Spokane is not one of those airports, travelers there are still feeling the residual effects.

June Orban, an airline traveler, discovered her troubles upon arrival. “Well, I’m trying to get to mobile, Alabama. You know, they canceled my flight already. Didn’t realize it till I got here,” Orban said.

Eight flights were canceled in and out of Spokane, leaving travelers like June and Kristen stranded. Kristen Lenig, traveling to Pennsylvania, faced an unexpected overnight stay. “Now I’m flying out tomorrow, so I have to get a hotel for today,” Lenig said. “I already know I have one less day home with my family, which is not making me very happy.”

Many of the travelers had connecting flights, and because their first flight out of Spokane was canceled, it disrupted their entire day of travel. Lenig experienced multiple itinerary changes. “From Spokane, Washington to Denver, Colorado, then from Denver to. I don’t remember where I was going, Where was I going? They’ve changed it so many times,” she said.

Some travelers have no other options, while others were looking for alternatives. Marissa Thompson, traveling to San Francisco, said, “I was a little worried. And then we talked to my dad about it and he said, well, I guess the very worst, you can rent a car and drive home.”

These problems may stick around longer than expected. The FAA was already facing an air traffic control shortage prior to the government shutdown. In a press conference on Tuesday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said since the shutdown, 15-20 controllers are retiring a day.

As holiday travel is just weeks away, Duffy says flight reductions will remain in place until staffing is back to normal levels.

The impact extends beyond leisure travel. “I definitely have some concerns for the holidays. But for us, I mean, for me at least, it’s definitely also affecting work, travel, getting to and from work,” Lenig said.