Article authors:
Reuters
Doyinsola Oladipo and GigiZamora
New York — The number of people traveling by car or plane during the July 4 vacation is expected to rise to near pre-pandemic levels. increase. This summer, we will test US airlines suffering from inadequate staffing and flight cancellations.
The relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions and the bottle-up of travel demand are becoming the strongest summer since the US aircraft carrier pandemic.
But so far, more than 20,000 flights have been canceled and the season is in turmoil as U.S. airlines suffer from a continuing shortage of pilots since 2020. I am.
AAA, a group of car members, predicts that 47.9 million people will travel more than 50 miles from their homes on the holiday weekend from June 30th to July 4th. This is an increase of 3.7% from 2021 and is approaching pre-pandemic levels.
Most US travelers drive, but 3.55 million are expected to fly, AAA said.
According to the tracking site FlightAware, airlines have so far delayed 2,706 flights and canceled 309 domestic and international flights.
"I'm having a flight problem and I'm trying to rebook now. Newark Liberty International Airport passenger Sintra Sack Rural said after receiving a $ 2,000 one-way quote, Florida He added that he could drive to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The weekend got off to a busy start. Over 2.4 million travelers passed the U.S. Transport Security Agency checkpoint on Thursday. And above 2019 levels, 110% higher than last year's TSA data.
Airlines to improve travel conditions this weekend We've taken some steps. Delta Air Lines Inc has issued a travel exemption to allow passengers to rebook flights scheduled for this weekend for free.
Delta Air passenger Lee Harris said the flight to Florida was canceled because he was on board the plane Thursday night.
"When they cancel my flight, they Does not provide me with a hotel. They do not provide me any assistance. Nothing. They just left me, "he said, on the black bench he slept the night before. I sat down.
Staffing issues make it difficult for the aviation industry to increase its capabilities. According to the industry group Airlines for America, US airlines have reduced their summer schedule by 15%.
Some travelers choose not to take risks this weekend.
"For the past few years, we flew to Mount Rushmore on July 4th, but this year we just saw a local parade and fireworks, thank you for not getting stuck at the airport. "Missy Buchanan, 70, from Rockwell, Texas, said. (Report by Doyinsola Oladipo, Gigi Zamora, Additional Report by Hussein Waaile, Edited by Anna Driver and Diane Craft)
