Government Shutdown May Disrupt Flights to Kinus Hashluchim

By COLlive reporter

The United States faces mounting travel disruption as the federal government shutdown continues into its fifth week, with aviation authorities warning that air traffic could be reduced across dozens of major airports.

The timing coincides with preparations for the International Kinus Hashluchim, the annual convention of Chabad-Lubavitch rabbis, which is due to take place in New York and New Jersey from next Wednesday through Monday.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced plans to cut scheduled air traffic by around 10 percent across 40 of the country’s busiest markets starting this Friday, in an effort to maintain safety amid staff shortages caused by the funding impasse.

The move could cause widespread flight delays and cancellations, particularly at New York’s three main airports — JFK, LaGuardia (LGA) and Newark — which serve as key entry points for thousands of Shluchim expected to arrive for the Kinus.

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The shutdown has left tens of thousands of federal workers, including air traffic controllers and security officers, working without pay. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has warned that if the political deadlock continues, the government may be forced to temporarily close sections of US airspace to ensure safety.

Airlines have already reported growing delays, longer security queues, and reduced staffing at control centres across the country.

The Kinus, the largest annual rabbinical gathering in the world, brings together Chabad Shluchim serving communities in more than 100 countries. Last year’s convention drew an estimated 6,500 participants, most of whom travelled by air.

For now, organizers of the Kinus from Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch have not indicated any change to the event’s schedule. However, many are monitoring developments closely as negotiations continue in Washington.