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In response to the ongoing federal shutdown, the FAA is set to reduce flight operations to alleviate the burden on air traffic controllers, who have been working without pay and subsequently calling in sick.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — On Wednesday, the Federal Aviation Administration revealed plans to scale back air traffic by 10% at 40 major airports across the United States starting this Friday. This decision comes as air traffic controllers, unpaid since October 1 due to the government shutdown, are experiencing increased fatigue.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, alongside FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, announced these reductions, which are expected to impact approximately 3,500 to 4,000 flights each day.
The following is a list of airports impacted by these changes. Notably, airports in BOLD are destinations serviced by Jacksonville International Airport (JAX):
- Anchorage International (ANC)
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL)
- Boston Logan International (BOS)
- Baltimore/Washington International (BWI)
- Charlotte Douglas International (CLT)
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International (CVG)
- Dallas Love Field (DAL)
- Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA)
- Denver International (DEN)
- Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW)
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW)
- Newark Liberty International (EWR)
- Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International (FLL)
- Honolulu International (HNL)
- Houston Hobby Airport (HOU)
- Washington Dulles International (IAD)
- George Bush Houston Intercontinental (IAH)
- Indianapolis International (IND)
- New York John F. Kennedy International (JFK)
- Las Vegas McCarran International (LAS)
- Los Angeles International (LAX)
- New York LaGuardia (LGA)
- Orlando International (MCO)
- Chicago Midway (MDW)
- Memphis International (MEM)
- Miami International (MIA)
- Minneapolis/St. Paul International (MSP)
- Oakland International (OAK)
- Ontario International (ONT)
- Chicago O’Hare International (ORD)
- Portland International (PDX)
- Philadelphia International (PHL)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX)
- San Diego International (SAN)
- Louisville International (SDF)
- Seattle/Tacoma International (SEA)
- San Francisco International (SFO)
- Salt Lake City International (SLC)
- Teterboro Airport (TEB)
- Tampa International (TPA)
Jacksonville International Airport itself is not among the airports directly affected. However, Michael Stewart, Vice President of External Affairs at Jacksonville Aviation Authority, advised travelers using JAX to confirm their flight status with their airlines for the latest updates and rebooking options, as reported by First Coast News.
The FAA said the cuts will keep the U.S. airspace safe during the government shutdown, which became the longest on record on Wednesday.
“I’m not aware in my 35-year history in the aviation market where we’ve had a situation where we’re taking these kinds of measures,” Bedford said Wednesday at a news conference. “We’re in new territory in terms of government shutdowns.”
Bedford added that even if the shutdown ends before Friday, the FAA wouldn’t automatically resume normal operations until staffing improves and stabilizes.
How are airlines reacting to the FAA flight reductions?
Major airlines, aviation unions and the broader travel industry have been urging Congress to end the shutdown.
Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and other major airlines said they were evaluating their schedules but expect most of the flights to operate normally. Several airlines have also offered flexibility, including refunds and rebooking options, as they try to minimize the impact on travelers.
United Airlines said it would focus its reductions on regional routes and domestic flights outside its eight hubs.
United and Delta both said they will offer refunds to passengers who opt not to fly — even if they purchased tickets that aren’t normally refundable.
The Associated Press and TEGNA Digital contributed to this report.
