NEWS: Over 180 Flight Delays Reported at Orlando Airport

If you’re flying in or out of Orlando International Airport right now, or any airport, for that matter, there’s something you need to know — you may be facing a lot of delays.

With a partial government shutdown underway, there are currently essential workers who are working without pay. This ultimately causes some changes and delays in a few areas, most notably airports. Today alone, there have been over 180 delays at Orlando Airport, and from the looks of it, it could get worse before it gets better — here’s what you need to know.

Currently, FlightAware reports that Orlando International Airport has seen 180 delays and 17 cancellations (as of 10:50 AM EST), and the number of delays continues to rise.

Why so many delays, especially when the weather isn’t bad? Well, again, the shutdown of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which began on Saturday, February 14th, is a large cause. As this department is responsible for TSA airport security, it can often take longer for both passengers, flight attendants, and pilots to get through, potentially causing delays.

Now, TSA officials are mandated to work without pay, but many travelers are recalling last year’s shutdown and are concerned about similar results and travel issues. Fortunately, air traffic controllers are not affected during this shutdown, which should help avoid flight cancellations. It’s also possible that TSA workers could call out of work, quickly disrupting the flow at any airport.

So what should you do? Well, first, arrive at the airport well in advance of your flight, and if your airport has the option, check security wait times ahead of time, and keep a close eye on them. This will give you a good idea of just how much time you need to allow, but we recommend allowing at least three hours to be extra safe.

We also recommend triple-checking that there’s nothing prohibited in your bag, so your bag is less likely to be pulled aside for a screening. Finally, while you may be stressed about making your flight on time, it’s important to be polite, patient, and respectful — a lot of these workers are likely being forced to be at work without pay, and that’s not something anyone wants to deal with!

We’ll be sure to keep you updated on all the latest news, so stay tuned to AllEars!

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