Flight reductions resulting from shutdown might affect air journey in Northwest Florida

PENSACOLA, Fla. — It’s the longest authorities shutdown in historical past. Now, air journey could possibly be severely disrupted.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy introduced a ten% discount within the variety of flights at 40 main airports within the U.S. beginning Friday.

It’s not clear how lengthy the restrictions will final. Airport officers throughout the Northwest Florida space say it is enterprise as ordinary for now.

At Pensacola International, the airport’s high ten locations are all included on this listing. But there are numerous unknowns.

Pensacola International Airport is working as regular. Though, directors say the impacts of the federal government shutdown are being felt. It’s largely by federal workers presently working with out pay.

“This is going on their second paycheck they haven’t received,” Pensacola International Airport Deputy Director Roy Remington stated. “So it’s a local impact to the community, but as far as operations go, we’re operating normally.”

While the airport hasn’t reported any direct impacts, Remington says Wednesday’s announcement of a ten% discount at main U.S. hubs might definitely hinder journey.

• WEAR: “It’s not Pensacola that’s causing the problems but is there concern it could cause disruptions here?”
• Remington: “Yeah, there’s a lot of unknowns right now. We do know the airports we serve are on that list.”

“I would say pack your patience,” Remington stated. “…We’re very sensitive here to the fact that our whole area is impacted by the shutdown.”

Managers at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport say they, too, aren’t feeling any direct impacts of the shutdown but.

Airports Director Tracy Stage experiences no cancellations or delays. But that does not imply your flight will not get delayed elsewhere.

“You’re seeing those impacts with the long lines at the checkpoints and impacts at the air traffic control towers where those employees have to earn a paycheck,” Stage stated. “And they’re in a situation where they have to find a job or wait.”

American, Delta and United Airlines all say they do not count on main impacts from Friday’s discount. In their assertion to U.S., American Airlines is urging leaders in Washington to succeed in an instantaneous decision — one thing many, together with Northwest Florida leaders, say ought to occur now.

“I’m hoping our Congress can resolve their differences as President Trump wants us to and move forward to move forward this nation,” Okaloosa County Vice Chair Carolyn Ketchel stated. “This is an unfortunate thing that’s gone on too long.”

Airport officers in Northwest Florida are advising vacationers to think about using carry-on baggage. In the occasion you cancel your flight or it is delayed as a result of modifications, you will not be separated out of your baggage.