Impact of US Government Shutdown on Canadian Travelers
The US government shutdown has caused a significant impact on Canadian travelers, with hundreds of thousands of Canadians flying to and from the United States every month. Those who purchased trip cancellation insurance before the government shutdown was announced as a travel advisory may be eligible for compensation. However, travelers who have recently purchased a policy or skipped out on it altogether may be out of luck with meal, hotel, and transportation coverage.
Travel Insurance and Credit Cards
Marty Firestone, president of Toronto-based insurance company Travel Secure Inc., stated that insurance was purchased prior to the advisory taking effect, as this is now a "known event." Some credit cards, such as the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card, American Express Cobalt Card, and MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard, offer travel insurance, which includes coverage in the event of flight cancellation or interruption. However, consumers should still check their terms and conditions to confirm what is covered.
Lack of Air Traffic Controllers in the US
The shortage of air traffic controllers in the US due to the federal shutdown prompted US regulators to order a reduction in air traffic starting last Friday. Since then, wintry weather has exacerbated staff shortages in parts of the continent. Several Canadian airlines have told passengers that they could be affected, particularly those with connecting flights to the United States. Even direct cross-border routes between major hubs are affected.
Flight Delays and Cancellations
The FAA warned Monday that staffing shortages at more than a dozen towers and control centers could delay the departure of planes to Phoenix, San Diego, the New York region, and Houston, and other cities. The agency also expanded its flight restrictions on Monday, banning business jets and many private flights from using a dozen airports that already have commercial flight restrictions. The average cancellation rate in recent days has already exceeded the Federal Aviation Administration’s requirement of 4%, a figure that should rise to 6% on Tuesday and 10% this Friday.
Government Response and Potential Solutions
The US Senate passed a bill to reopen the government on Monday, but the bill still needs to be approved by the lower house of Parliament, and final passage could be just days away. Further flight disruptions are possible for the rest of the month. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy made clear last week that flight cuts will continue until the FAA determines that staffing levels at its air traffic control facilities stabilize.
Conclusion
The US government shutdown has caused significant disruptions to Canadian travelers, with flight cancellations and delays affecting hundreds of thousands of people. Travelers who purchased trip cancellation insurance before the government shutdown was announced may be eligible for compensation, but those who have recently purchased a policy or skipped out on it altogether may be out of luck. It is essential for travelers to check their terms and conditions to confirm what is covered and to stay up-to-date with the latest developments on the government shutdown and its impact on air travel.