Columbia Airport reports 35 shutdown flight disruptions for Thanksgiving

Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) experienced 35 flight delays and cancellations during the recent 43-day federal government shutdown, significantly impacting major commercial carriers. Between November 7 and November 16, American Airlines saw 15 disruptions, Delta Air Lines 14, and United Airlines six, according to airport officials. These operational challenges highlight the vulnerability of air travel to broader governmental actions, even at airports not directly ordered to cut schedules by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

One notable incident involved a Delta flight bound for New York City’s LaGuardia Airport, which was forced to return to Columbia hours after departure, having circled east of Richmond, Virginia. This occurred shortly after the FAA had issued directives for airlines to reduce flight schedules at larger airports, underscoring the ripple effects across the national air traffic system. Despite these disruptions, CAE officials emphasized that the airport itself remained fully operational throughout the shutdown.

Kim Crafton, CAE’s Vice President of Marketing and Air Service Development, commended the professionalism and dedication of the airport’s TSA team members and Air Traffic Control (ATC) crew. She stated that these personnel ensured consistent safety standards for passengers and airport operations during the challenging period. Crafton likened navigating the shutdown to the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, where staff focused on day-to-day operational safety and efficiency amidst uncertainty.

With the federal shutdown officially concluded on November 12, airport authorities have confirmed that there are no remaining operational effects as the busy Thanksgiving holiday travel period approaches. This assurance provides a positive outlook for passengers planning to travel through Columbia Metropolitan Airport during one of the year's peak travel seasons, demonstrating the airport's successful recovery from the recent governmental disruption.