Flight delays and cancellations are likely to continue in the US, warns Transportation Secretary

United States Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, stated this Saturday (14) that air operations in the country are gradually returning to normal, following the national shutdown lasting several hours on Friday (13).

He assured that it is safe to travel by plane, but warned that passengers should still face delays and cancellations.

As of 8:15 am this Saturday (10:15 am in Brasília), more than 3,500 flights had been canceled in the United States, according to FlightAware data released by CBS. Another 1,400 were delayed. Earlier, the Associated Press had reported about 2,500 cancellations.

Delta Air Lines topped the list, with 640 cancellations, followed by United Airlines (530) and American Airlines (488). The most affected airports were Hartsfield-Jackson, in Atlanta; O'Hare in Chicago; and John F. Kennedy, in New York.