Stay updates: Congress stays gridlocked as air journey worsens as a result of shutdown

For Neil Lyon, getting from Santa Fe, New Mexico, to Houston, Texas, by early subsequent week is a non-negotiable, at the same time as airways throughout the United States are canceling lots of of flights as a result of a scarcity of federal aviation staff.

Lyon must be in Houston for a cancer-related surgical procedure and plans to fly into Houston Hobby airport, one of many airports on the listing of 40 hubs reducing flights. Houston’s different airport, George Bush Houston Intercontinental, can also be on the listing.

He and his spouse have already put a number of back-up plans in place, he advised CNN. First, they moved up their schedule to fly out a day early on Sunday. They additionally booked a second ticket to fly into Austin, with a plan to then drive to Houston.

If each of these flights get canceled, Lyon mentioned he and his spouse plan to drive to Houston — a 12-hour drive, not less than. While Lyon mentioned he believes this can be a low-probability situation, the prospect of a protracted automobile trip after surgical procedure has left him “incredibly frustrated by the situation.”

“What I’m worried about is getting to Houston in time for a procedure that’s been scheduled for quite some time and there’s some urgency,” Lyon mentioned. “I’m dealing with this, and I’m just thinking about the tens of thousands, or millions, who are dealing with other really serious circumstances that are impacted by what the situation is.”

Lyon acknowledged that even when the shutdown ends, there nonetheless will likely be lingering points. Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, mentioned beforehand that controllers “are resigning every day now” as a result of she shutdown is dragging on.

“I’m frustrated for myself, and I’m frustrated for millions of other people,” Lyon mentioned.