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Air travel across the United States is poised for disruption as airlines prepare to trim hundreds of flights at some of the nation’s busiest airports, including major hubs in New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Chicago. This move, set to begin on Friday, comes as a direct consequence of the ongoing government shutdown.
The flight reductions will extend across more than two dozen states, suggesting that the effects will be felt far beyond the immediate locations impacted. The breadth of these cuts highlights the extensive reach of the current situation.
On Thursday, airlines were in a scramble to identify which routes to pare down, leaving passengers with weekend and future travel plans anxiously awaiting updates on their itineraries. Many are turning to airline apps for the latest information regarding the status of their flights.
Delta Air Lines announced it would cancel approximately 170 flights on Friday, while American Airlines intends to cut 220 flights each day through Monday. These planned cancellations underscore the widespread challenges both airlines and travelers are facing as the shutdown persists.
Airlines also planned cancellations into the weekend, directing passengers to check apps to learn their flight status.Delta Air Lines said it would scratch roughly 170 flights on 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. They would be in effect between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. and would impact all commercial airlines.
Friday, Nov. 7, 7:38 a.m.
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.
Friday, Nov. 7, 6:25 a.m.
FAA flight reductions began to take effect Friday, with more than 800 flights canceled nationwide as of 6 a.m. ET, according to FlightAware.
The live flight tracker does not provide reasons for delays or cancellations, so some of the affected flights may not be due to FAA flight reductions.
Which airports will reduce flights?
Here are the 40 airports expected to begin phasing in flight cuts starting Friday, Nov. 7.
- 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)
The Associated Press contributed to this report
