The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced an unprecedented order to reduce flights nationwide starting Friday morning, imposed due to the historic government shutdown.
The FAA's directive affects 40 major airports, including key hubs such as Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, and Los Angeles, spanning over two dozen states. Notably, airport operations in metropolitan areas like New York, Houston, Chicago, and Washington D.C. are set to be impacted.
Airlines are rapidly adjusting to these restrictions and began canceling flights Thursday as they awaited the FAA's official announcement. Reports indicate that more than 780 flights have already been called off, with Delta Air Lines planning to cancel around 170 flights, while American Airlines intends to cut approximately 220 flights daily through Monday.
The FAA's reductions will start at 4% and escalate to 10% by November 14, operating between 6 AM and 10 PM across all commercial airlines.
The agency justified the cutbacks as necessary to alleviate pressure on air traffic controllers, many of whom have been working unpaid and facing significant workloads, leading to a rise in absences due to exhaustion and financial hardship.
Travelers expressed their concerns as airlines try to mitigate the impact on customers, focusing mainly on cutting routes to smaller cities. While airlines are mandated to refund passengers for canceled flights, they are not responsible for additional costs such as accommodations unless delays are due to factors within their control.
Industry experts warn these reductions will significantly affect the U.S. air travel system, contributing to potential delays in package services from major distribution centers, including FedEx and UPS facilities.
As the Trump administration intensifies pressure on Congress to resolve the shutdown, the travel landscape remains uncertain for many in the coming days.
