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A significant wave of flight cancellations is set to begin this Friday at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports.
WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced a 10% reduction in air traffic at these major airports due to increasing fatigue among air traffic controllers, who have been working without compensation since the government shutdown commenced on October 1.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, along with FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, revealed the impending cuts on Wednesday afternoon. They estimated that this decision would impact approximately 3,500 to 4,000 flights each day.
The FAA has already been forced to delay flights at several airports as a result of widespread staffing shortages. Now entering its sixth week, the government shutdown is exerting severe pressure on air traffic controllers, who are obligated to work without pay. Many controllers have resorted to finding second jobs, and an increasing number are calling in sick.
Since the onset of the shutdown on October 1, air traffic controllers have been working without pay, frequently clocking in six days a week with mandatory overtime. They are set to miss their second full paycheck by next Tuesday.
Last weekend saw some of the worst staffing shortages of the shutdown. From Friday to Sunday evening, at least 39 different air traffic control facilities announced there was some potential for limited staffing, according to an Associated Press analysis — well above the average of 8.3 facilities for weekends before the shutdown.
The agency has been reporting persistent staffing shortages at air traffic control facilities around some of the nation’s busiest airports, including major airline hubs in Dallas, Houston, Newark and Phoenix.
The following airports will see up to 10% flight reductions beginning Friday, according to multiple reports. According to CBS News, this list could change as the FAA has not issued its final order.
Full list of airports 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)
