U.S. air carriers initiated the cancellation of numerous flights on Thursday as part of efforts by the Federal Aviation Administration to alleviate congestion at the busiest airports in the country due to the ongoing government shutdown.
By late Thursday, FlightAware reported that over 760 flights had been removed from Friday’s airline schedules. The FAA identified 40 airports across more than two dozen states, including major hubs like Atlanta, Dallas, and Los Angeles, where flight reductions would be implemented. The reduction plan, outlined by the FAA in an official order published on Thursday evening, would gradually decrease flight volumes from four percent starting Friday to ten percent by November 14, affecting all commercial airlines between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. local time.
The decision to reduce flights was made to ensure safety as air traffic controllers are facing challenges during the shutdown. The FAA expressed concerns about the controllers’ fatigue and the system’s ability to handle the current level of operations. Amidst these developments, the Trump administration has been pressing Democrats in Congress to end the shutdown.
Air traffic controllers, who have been working without pay since the shutdown began on October 1, have been taking more sick days, leading to staffing shortages and delays. To address the situation, airlines were making last-minute adjustments to their schedules, with some carriers like American Airlines cutting their schedules by four percent at the affected airports and planning to increase the reductions to meet the ten percent target.
The flight reductions, set just before the upcoming holiday season, have prompted some travelers to rethink their plans. Industry experts anticipate a noticeable impact across the U.S. air transportation system due to these operational changes. Airlines are striving to minimize disruptions for passengers, offering refunds for those who choose not to travel, even with non-refundable tickets.
The flight cuts are expected to affect up to 1,800 flights and over 268,000 passengers per day, potentially disrupting package deliveries from airports hosting major distribution centers. The uncertainty caused by the ongoing shutdown is straining the aviation system and undermining confidence in air travel in the United States.
