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In an effort to ensure travel safety amidst the ongoing government shutdown, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced a reduction in flights across several busy markets. This measure comes as air traffic controllers show signs of strain under current conditions.
This decision is already impacting U.S. airlines, which have begun canceling hundreds of flights at the nation’s busiest airports. The FAA’s directive, made public on Thursday evening, targets 40 airports across more than two dozen states. Major hubs like Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, and Charlotte, North Carolina, are among those affected. Additionally, cities with multiple airports such as New York, Houston, Chicago, and Washington will see significant disruptions.
The ripple effects of these cancellations are expected to extend well beyond the selected locations. FlightAware reported that over 960 flights nationwide were called off on Friday alone. Specifically, Delta Air Lines announced the cancellation of approximately 170 flights that day, while American Airlines plans to cut 220 flights daily through the upcoming Monday.
The impact is likely to be felt far beyond the targeted places.
More than 960 flights were canceled nationwide Friday, according to FlightAware. Delta Air Lines said it would scratch roughly 170 flights Friday, and American Airlines planned to cut 220 a day through Monday.
The FAA said the reductions would start at 4% and ramp up to 10% by Nov. 14. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told Fox News the cuts could go up to 20% if the shutdown continues.
These reductions are anticipated to be in effect between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. and impact all commercial airlines.
The agency announced Wednesday it would reduce air traffic by 10% across “high-volume” markets to maintain travel safety as air traffic controllers exhibit signs of strain during the shutdown.
Controllers already have missed one full paycheck and are scheduled to receive nothing again next week as the shutdown drags on. Some controllers are working without pay while others look for other means of income
The past weekend brought some of the worst staffing issues since the start of the shutdown.
From Friday to Sunday evening, at least 39 air traffic control facilities reported potential staffing limits, according to an AP analysis of operations plans shared through the Air Traffic Control System Command Center system. The figure, which is likely an undercount, was well above the average for weekends before the shutdown.
The cuts also could disrupt package deliveries because two airports with major distribution centers are on the list — FedEx operates at the airport in Memphis, Tennessee, and UPS in Louisville, Kentucky, the site of this week’s deadly cargo plane crash.
The move also comes as the Trump administration ramps up pressure on Democrats in Congress to end the shutdown.
United, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines said they would offer refunds to passengers who opt not to fly, even if they purchased tickets that aren’t normally refundable.
Which airports are reducing flights? Full list of cities affected by FAA service cuts
- 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)
Why are flights being canceled?
The FAA is imposing the flight reductions to relieve pressure on air traffic controllers who are working without pay during the government shutdown. The agency has already been delaying flights at times when airports or other FAA facilities are short on controllers.
The aviation safety agency said the cuts will keep airspace safe during the government shutdown, which is now the longest on record.
Air traffic controllers have been working unpaid since the shutdown began Oct. 1. Most work mandatory overtime six days a week, leaving little time for side jobs to help cover bills and other expenses unless they call out.
Mounting staffing pressures are forcing the agency to act, FAA administrator Bryan Bedford said Wednesday at a news conference.
“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. “We’re in new territory in terms of government shutdowns.”
“We can’t ignore it,” he said, adding that even if the shutdown ends before Friday, the FAA wouldn’t automatically resume normal operations until staffing improves and stabilizes.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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