The holiday season is just rolling around the corner, and many have plans to see family and friends, or just to take a break from their busy lives. Many joined at the airport, bags checked, tickets in hand, but one thing was missing: no planes were taking off.

Over 50% of the 30 busiest US airports, including New York City, Austin, Newark, Phoenix, Washington, Nashville, Dallas, and Denver, have been experiencing flight delays nationwide. The US shutdown affected essential workers, such as TSA workers and air traffic controllers, because the government would not fund them. Many of these workers did not show up because they were not paid, and the ones who did had to work long hours. Long lines and delayed flights caused outrage among flyers as they had to reschedule flights. Many people from all over the country were affected by this, and some were even students at Wayne Hills.

Senior Dalia May’s trip to South Carolina took a turn after her plane ride back to the Newark airport got delayed and then ultimately canceled. Her trip down south to visit a friend at Coastal Carolina University changed from a weekend trip to a whole week. “Getting that notification that my plane was being delayed again and again got me very worried about when I am ever going to get home. I missed many school assignments and cheer practices, but at least I was on the beach,” Dalia stated.

As of December 11, the government shutdown has been over for almost a month. The major airports are still recovering from the cut in flights by up to 10% and trying to prepare for the upcoming holiday travel. Even though the shutdown is over, it can have a lingering effect on flying and airport travel. The airports will be put to the test when the week of holidays starts rolling in. Let’s just hope those flights don’t end up on the naughty list.