Flight Cuts Expected at Major U. S.
Starting Friday, Portland International Airport and other major airports on the West Coast, as well as the busiest airline hubs in the United States, will experience a reduction in flights due to the ongoing government shutdown. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on Wednesday that air traffic will be reduced by 10% across 40 “high-volume” markets to ensure travel safety as air traffic controllers struggle with the effects of the shutdown.
This measure will affect more than two dozen states and includes the busiest airports in the country, such as Atlanta, Denver, Dallas, Orlando, Miami, and San Francisco. In major cities like New York, Houston, and Chicago, multiple airports will be impacted.
The FAA is implementing these flight reductions in response to the increasing strain on air traffic controllers who have been working without pay since the shutdown began on October 1st. As a result, controllers have missed one full paycheck and are expected to receive no pay next week as the shutdown continues.
The FAA has been experiencing delays at airports and other facilities due to staffing shortages. Passengers can expect to be notified about flight cancellations starting on Thursday. Airlines have stated that they will try to minimize the impact on customers, but some travelers may have their weekend travel plans disrupted with little notice.
Experts predict that hundreds, if not thousands, of flights may be canceled. This could mean up to 1,800 flights and more than 268,000 seats being affected, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. Several airlines have announced they will offer refunds to passengers who choose not to fly, even if they purchased non-refundable tickets.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford stated that this situation is unprecedented in his 35 years in the aviation market. He also mentioned that the agency is in “new territory” with government shutdowns. Air traffic controllers typically work mandatory overtime six days a week, leaving little time for side jobs to help cover expenses. This, combined with mounting staffing pressures, has forced the agency to take action.
Bedford emphasized that the FAA cannot ignore the staffing issues and even if the shutdown ends before Friday, normal operations will not resume until staffing levels improve and stabilize.
The following airports are included in the FAA’s order:
– Anchorage International in Alaska
– Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International in Georgia
– Boston Logan International in Massachusetts
– Baltimore/Washington International in Maryland
– Charlotte Douglas International in North Carolina
– Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International in Ohio
– Dallas Love Field in Texas
– Ronald Reagan Washington National in Virginia
– Denver International in Colorado
– Dallas/Fort Worth International in Texas
– Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County in Michigan
– Newark Liberty International in New Jersey
– Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International in Florida
– Honolulu International in Hawaii
– Houston Hobby in Texas
– Washington Dulles International in Virginia
– George Bush Houston Intercontinental in Texas
– Indianapolis International in Indiana