The Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission (CARC) stated that any major disruption at U.S. airports would have repercussions on international air traffic, including flights to and from Jordan. This comes as U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned of “massive chaos” and widespread flight delays resulting from the government shutdown that has lasted nearly 40 days.
اضافة اعلان
The commission explained that the direct impact would primarily affect passengers rather than systems, noting that in most previous cases of partial shutdowns or technical failures—such as the NOTAM aviation information system outage—Jordan’s technical and procedural systems remained unaffected, allowing airports to operate normally.
It added that disruptions mainly impact passengers relying on domestic U.S. connections to reach major international departure hubs such as New York or Chicago for flights bound for Amman.
Airlines may be forced to delay departures from U.S. airports to accommodate transit passengers delayed by domestic disruptions. In cases of prolonged or complete paralysis, some scheduled flights could be canceled to maintain operational safety and passenger security, with affected travelers rebooked in accordance with airline procedures.
Regarding its measures in the event of extended U.S. airport closures or complete shutdowns, the CARC affirmed that, as the regulatory authority, it prioritizes aviation safety, security, and passenger rights above all else.
The commission stated that its actions focus on regulatory and operational oversight as well as the protection of passenger rights. It maintains constant communication with airlines operating between Jordan and the United States to monitor developments and flight statuses, requiring them to immediately inform passengers of any schedule changes — a right guaranteed under existing consumer protection regulations.
The CARC also monitors compliance with obligations to provide care and assistance for delayed passengers — including food, beverages, and accommodation when necessary — especially when delays extend for long hours.
As for potential Jordanian responses in the event of a “complete paralysis” of U.S. airports, the commission stressed that while such a scenario remains hypothetical, any measures would be directly proportional to the scope and nature of the disruption.
It noted that response efforts would include reassessing the operational situation, evaluating the impact on flight safety, and coordinating regionally and internationally with partners and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to facilitate rerouting to alternative destinations or airways unaffected by the U.S. shutdown. However, direct flights to the United States would remain suspended until U.S. airports resume operations.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump accused Democrats of being “willing to destroy the United States,” as the government shutdown entered its 36th day on Wednesday, surpassing the previous record for the longest shutdown in U.S. history.
The shutdown began on October 1, after Republicans and Democrats failed to agree on a temporary spending bill to maintain government funding. Since then, about 1.4 million federal employees—from air traffic controllers to park rangers—have either been placed on mandatory unpaid leave or are working without pay. Some courts have resorted to using emergency funds to stay open but warned that operations may slow further if the shutdown continues.
— (Al-Mamlaka)
