Airport Delays, Cancellations Drop Sharply at Charlotte Douglas

Cancellations and delays at Charlotte Douglas International Airport dropped significantly over the most recent weekend, according to new data.

Analysis shows cancellations were down more than 90 percent, while delays fell by over 35 percent compared to the previous weekend. The improvement comes after a spike in disruptions earlier in March, which coincided with Transportation Security Administration workers missing their first full paycheck during the ongoing partial government shutdown.

Over the latest Friday-through-Sunday period, Charlotte Douglas reported 15 cancellations and 813 delays. The weekend prior saw 163 cancellations and 1,260 delays.

Similar trends were reported at other major North Carolina airports. Raleigh-Durham International Airport saw cancellations drop from 66 to 10 and delays fall from 405 to 261. At Piedmont Triad International Airport, cancellations decreased from 12 to just three, while delays dropped from 64 to 35.

Nationwide, about 10 percent of TSA workers have reportedly been absent daily in recent weeks, creating concerns about staffing and travel disruptions.

Amid speculation that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents could be deployed to assist TSA operations, officials at Charlotte Douglas say they are not aware of any such assistance taking place.

The partial government shutdown, which began February 14, continues to impact TSA workers, who are considered essential and have been working without base pay.

In response, Charlotte Douglas International Airport has launched a community effort to support TSA employees. Officials are accepting grocery and gas gift cards to assist workers as the shutdown continues.