WASHINGTON – The Federal Aviation Administration’s order to reduce flights at 40 major U.S. airports took effect Friday, starting with a 4% cut in operations as the government shutdown continues to impact air traffic control staffing.
The reductions are scheduled to increase gradually: to 6% by Nov. 11, 8% by Nov. 13, and up to 10% by Nov. 14. They apply between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. local time and aim to address shortages caused by the shutdown.
Airlines have begun canceling flights to comply, with disruptions reported at hubs including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, Boston Logan International, and Chicago O’Hare International. A full list of affected airports includes:
- Anchorage International (Alaska)
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (Georgia)
- Boston Logan International (Massachusetts)
- Charlotte Douglas International (North Carolina)
- Chicago Midway International (Illinois)
- Chicago O’Hare International (Illinois)
- Dallas Love Field (Texas)
- Dallas/Fort Worth International (Texas)
- Denver International (Colorado)
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (Michigan)
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (Florida)
- Hilo International (Hawaii)
- Honolulu International (Hawaii)
- Houston Hobby (Texas)
- Houston Intercontinental (Texas)
- Kahului (Hawaii)
- Kansas City International (Missouri)
- Las Vegas Harry Reid International (Nevada)
- Los Angeles International (California)
- Miami International (Florida)
- Minneapolis-St. Paul International (Minnesota)
- Nashville International (Tennessee)
- New Orleans Louis Armstrong (Louisiana)
- New York JFK International (New York)
- New York LaGuardia (New York)
- Newark Liberty International (New Jersey)
- Oakland International (California)
- Orlando International (Florida)
- Philadelphia International (Pennsylvania)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International (Arizona)
- Portland International (Oregon)
- Ronald Reagan Washington National (Virginia)
- Sacramento International (California)
- Salt Lake City International (Utah)
- San Antonio International (Texas)
- San Diego International (California)
- San Francisco International (California)
- San Jose International (California)
- Seattle-Tacoma International (Washington)
- Tampa International (Florida)
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that the cuts are necessary to maintain safety amid the staffing shortfall. Airline executives have expressed concerns about increasing problems if the shutdown persists.
Travelers are advised to check flight statuses with their airlines, as thousands of cancellations are expected in the coming days. The shutdown, now in its second month, has broader effects on federal services, including delays in TSA screenings at some airports.
