Air terminals in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, in addition to several other key locations across the United States, are set to experience a reduction in flight operations beginning this Friday due to the ongoing government shutdown. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has declared that air traffic will be decreased by 10% in 40 major markets to ensure travel safety as air traffic controllers are facing strain amid the shutdown.
The impacted airports include major hubs such as Atlanta, Denver, Dallas, Orlando, Miami, and San Francisco. Some of the largest cities like New York, Houston, and Chicago will have multiple airports affected by the flight cuts. The FAA, due to a lack of funding, is not responding to media inquiries, including requests from CBC News.
Air traffic controllers, who have been working without pay during the shutdown, are facing increasing financial pressure as they missed a paycheck and are expecting another with the continuation of the shutdown. To alleviate the strain on these controllers, the FAA is implementing flight reductions.
Passengers are advised to expect notifications about flight cancellations starting Thursday. Airlines, including United Airlines, have pledged to minimize disruptions for travelers. Both United Airlines and Delta Air Lines are offering refunds to passengers who choose not to fly even if they hold non-refundable tickets.
Aviation experts anticipate a significant number of flight cancellations, potentially affecting up to 1,800 flights and over 268,000 seats. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford expressed that the current situation is unprecedented in his 35-year career in the aviation industry. The affected airports have not been officially disclosed by the FAA or the Department of Transportation (DOT) yet.
Major airlines and industry stakeholders are urging Congress to end the shutdown, which has become the longest in history. United, Southwest, and American Airlines are working to minimize the impact on consumers as they adjust their schedules to comply with the FAA directive. United CEO Scott Kirby assured employees that the cuts would primarily affect regional routes and non-hub flights.
The travel industry, aviation unions, and various stakeholders are emphasizing the need to end the shutdown to avoid further disruption and maintain confidence in the U.S. air travel system. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy highlighted the proactive approach taken by the FAA to address staffing pressures and potential risks in air traffic control operations.
