Atlanta, GA
Thousands of flights canceled over weekend as shutdown enters day 40
ATLANTA – Travel headaches are piling up at the world’s busiest airport as the government shutdown stretches into another week.
What we know:
More than 800 flights into and out of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport were canceled over the weekend, according to FlightAware, while more than 1,500 were delayed. Officials say a shortage of air traffic controllers triggered the widespread disruptions.
To address the growing number of absences, the Federal Aviation Administration has ordered airlines to reduce flights at the nation’s 40 busiest airports. The cuts started at 4% last week, will increase to 6% on Tuesday, and are expected to reach 10% by Friday.
As of Monday afternoon, FlightAware reported more than 220 cancellations and over 300 delays at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Interantional Airport.
What they’re saying:
“Was supposed to fly out this morning at 10 a.m. that was canceled,” said frustrated traveler Jason Julio. He and his son have been trying to get home to New Jersey since Sunday.
“You book a trip to have a good time and make memories,” Julio said. “These are the last types of memories you want to have.”
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told CNN that 18 of the 22 air traffic controllers scheduled to work in Atlanta on Saturday didn’t show up.
“As we get closer to Thanksgiving travel, I think what’s going to happen is you’re going to have air travel slow to a trickle, as everyone wants to travel to see their families,” he said.
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The National Air Traffic Controllers Association says the ongoing shutdown is to blame.
“Congress must act immediately and end the government shutdown, and ensure that all individuals who have not been paid during this prolonged closure receive their compensation,” said Nick Daniels, president of the union.
Even with the phased flight cuts, the weekend was chaotic at airports across the country because of staffing shortages and weather issues.
Rabbi Paula Mack Drill said the travel mess has even affected a group of female rabbis attending a retreat in Georgia.
“So far, at least a dozen of us have had to cancel because there was no way to get in from all around the country and internationally,” Drill said.
The Source: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, FlightAware, and the FAA provided details for this article. FOX News, FOX Business, and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Previous FOX 5 Atlanta reporting was also used.
ATLANTA – The Atlanta City Council approved a resolution requesting a comprehensive study to evaluate switching Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport security operations from federal workers to private contractors.
The decision launches a formal assessment of the world’s busiest airport joining the federal Screening Partnership Program.
Atlanta airport private security evaluation
What we know:
The Atlanta City Council voted 11-1 to direct the Department of Aviation to commission an independent feasibility study within 90 days. The study will analyze converting current Transportation Security Administration operations to a private screening model.
This federal program allows airports to use private contractors who must still meet federal security standards under federal oversight. The proposal comes after a February-March federal funding lapse caused 34 to 36 percent of local TSA officers to miss work, leading to multi-hour wait times and canceled flights.
Aviation funding and consultant selection
What we don’t know:
It remains unclear which independent third-party consultant will be chosen to conduct the data-driven analysis.
During the council meeting, officials noted it is still an open question whether the Department of Aviation has already set aside specific dollars or identified a shortlist of experts to pull the report together.
Historical Screening Partnership Program metrics
By the numbers:
- 100 million: The minimum number of travelers processed annually at the world’s busiest airport.
- 20 to 22: The number of U.S. airports currently participating in the private contractor screening program, including San Francisco and Kansas City.
- 140 million to 240 million: The estimated range of dollars that TSA screening operations currently cost at the Atlanta airport each year.
Category X airport operational realities
The backstory:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is classified as a Category X public facility, representing the highest risk tier in the nation. No Category X airport has ever fully transitioned from federal screeners to a private model under the program.
Proponents point out that participating private airports avoided major disruptions during federal funding shutdowns because contractor payrolls rely on pre-existing federal contract obligations rather than annual congressional appropriations.
Local labor and political debate
The other side:
Councilmember Kelsey Bond voted against the resolution, citing deep concerns from local voters about the privatization of public sector jobs. Bond stated that privatization efforts align with controversial federal political agendas aimed at defunding public systems.
Bond argued that local leaders have a responsibility to stand back and defend the public sector and the union employees working at the facility.
Airport passenger lines and grandmothers
What they’re saying:
“This feasibility study is only asking about what it would look like if we can better serve grandmothers standing in line all day long because our federal government can’t get their act together to keep our TSA workers employed,” Councilmember Byron D. Amos said.
Amos emphasized that the legislation protects local workers by giving current TSA employees the first right of refusal to transition into the contractor roles if a change is ever made.
Super Bowl and major events timeline
What’s next:
The Department of Aviation has a 90-day window to deliver the final study, which places the evaluation period directly after FIFA World Cup events and during peak planning for the Super Bowl.
Once the report is complete, the findings will be presented in a public session so the city council can determine whether to apply for the federal program, run a limited pilot program or maintain the current federal system.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from Atlanta City Council Resolution ELMS No. 40196, which outlines the official parameters and legislative elements of the airport security request, as well as official video and audio records from the Atlanta City Council legislative session where members debated and voted on the proposal.
‘Back to the Future’-inspired DeLorean among the entrants at this weekend’s event in Atlanta.
Razorfly Studios has been bringing its replica of Doc Brown’s “Back to the Future” time machine DeLorean to MomoCon for years. (Courtesy of MomoCon)
When Mark Zoran drives one of his replica cars, it’s not uncommon for fellow drivers to gawk at him.
Sometimes people ask for photos. Once, while he was driving outside of Atlanta, another driver stopped beside him to take a photograph of his car.
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Joe Metscher will bring his Subaru Forester itasha to MomoCon that features a character from “Kantai Collection” on it. (Courtesy of Joe Metscher)
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Joe Metscher’s dirt bike features Twin Turbo from the anime “Umamusume.” (Courtesy of Joe Metscher)
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Olivia Wakim is a reporter on the lifestyle team. She joined the AJC as an intern in 2023 after graduating from the University of Georgia with a journalism degree. While in school, she reported for The Red & Black, Grady Newsource and the Marietta Daily Journal.
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Detectives are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred Sunday afternoon in Stone Mountain.
Around 2 p.m., DeKalb police officers responded to the area of Martins Crossing and Hemingway Road after receiving reports of a person shot, authorities said.
When officers arrived, they found a victim who had been shot. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
Detectives are still working to determine what led up to the incident, officials said.
Return to Atlanta News First for updates.
Copyright 2026 WANF. All rights reserved.
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