The ongoing U.S. government shutdown has started to take a visible toll on regional air travel, with two flights bound for Antigua and Barbuda among those affected by widespread cancellations across the United States.
An American Airlines flight from Miami to V.C. Bird International Airport and a JetBlue service from New York’s JFK Airport were among those canceled on Saturday, leaving several passengers stranded and disrupting travel plans for visitors headed to the twin-island nation.
Several affected travelers were scheduled to stay at major hotels and resorts across Antigua, forcing last-minute cancellations and rescheduling.
The cancellations come amid growing chaos at U.S. airports, where more than 1,000 flights were canceled and over 5,000 delayed as air traffic controllers and aviation staff work without pay. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered airlines to reduce schedules at 40 major airports due to mounting operational strain.
At Miami International Airport, travelers expressed frustration and anxiety as the shutdown’s impact rippled across terminals.
Industry analysts warn that the FAA’s mandated flight reductions could reach 10 percent by November 14, further complicating air travel throughout the Caribbean and threatening the start of the winter tourism season — a critical period for Antigua and Barbuda’s economy.
Local tourism stakeholders are closely monitoring the situation, with some hotels already adjusting guest arrivals and offering flexible rebooking options.
Al least the hotels making money. That’s a silver lining
People don’t realize how much a U.S. shutdown can affect small islands like ours one canceled flight can mean hundreds of empty hotel rooms
This couldn’t come at a worse time for our tourism sector. The start of the winter season is when we really depend on consistent arrivals.
Here come our professional journalists, in true and full traitor costume with their headlines meant for the simple party folks suggesting that Trump, their God, is in the process of dealing a serious, punitive body-slam to Antigua and Barbuda. By Monday they would have concocted twisted reasons for this act of aggression against Antigua and Barbuda. Oh, what a beautiful country we have, sadly inhabited by venomous “people”.
This is going to hit tourism hard if it continues. The ripple effect on small economies like ours can’t be ignored.
U.S. shutdowns always ripple across the region. Hoping for a quick resolution.
Another reminder of how vulnerable our tourism industry is to external shocks. We have to diversify our airlift and source markets
I cancelled my vacation because AA couldnt tell me for sure that they would have a flight in two weeks to some countries. Donald Trump needs to LET UP already!
Hope this shutdown ends soon. Antigua can’t take too many blows before the peak season even begins