The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on Wednesday that due to the ongoing extension of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, flights will be reduced at 40 airports.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy previously stated that this measure will cut daily passenger flight volumes by around 10%, impacting 3,500 to 4,000 flights.
While FAA has not officially released a list of specific affected “busy airports,” preliminary information obtained by CNBC indicates that the affected airports include major international hubs in cities such as Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York City, and some of the largest airports across the United States.
Below is the list of 40 airports preliminarily affected according to CNBC:
1. ANC – Anchorage International Airport
2. ATL – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
3. BOS – Boston Logan International Airport
4. BWI – Baltimore/Washington International Airport
5. CLT – Charlotte Douglas International Airport
6. CVG – Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
7. DAL – Dallas Love Field
8. DCA – Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
9. DEN – Denver International Airport
10. DFW – Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
11. DTW – Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
12. EWR – Newark Liberty International Airport
13. FLL – Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport
14. HNL – Honolulu International Airport
15. HOU – Houston Hobby Airport
16. IAD – Washington Dulles International Airport
17. IAH – George Bush Houston Intercontinental Airport
18. IND – Indianapolis International Airport
19. JFK – New York John F. Kennedy International Airport
20. LAS – Las Vegas McCarran International Airport
21. LAX – Los Angeles International Airport
22. LGA – New York LaGuardia Airport
23. MCO – Orlando International Airport
24. MDW – Chicago Midway Airport
25. MEM – Memphis International Airport
26. MIA – Miami International Airport
27. MSP – Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport
28. OAK – Oakland International Airport
29. ONT – Ontario International Airport
30. ORD – Chicago O’Hare International Airport
31. PDX – Portland International Airport
32. PHL – Philadelphia International Airport
33. PHX – Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
34. SAN – San Diego International Airport
35. SDF – Louisville International Airport
36. SEA – Seattle/Tacoma International Airport
37. SFO – San Francisco International Airport
38. SLC – Salt Lake City International Airport
39. TEB – Teterboro Airport
40. TPA – Tampa International Airport
The FAA emphasized that air traffic controllers, as essential personnel, must continue working even without pay, exacerbating concerns over aviation safety as the shutdown highlights significant flight delays and cancellations.
Secretary Duffy emphasized on Wednesday that the flight reductions are a “proactive” measure due to the significant flight delays and cancellations caused by the government shutdown.
He anticipates that the reductions will lead to more flight cancellations with no clear end in sight, stating, “We consider a 10% reduction an appropriate number based on the current stress.”
Earlier this week, Duffy warned on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” program that if the shutdown continues, he might order the “closure of the entire airspace.”
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford stated on Wednesday that such large-scale reductions are unprecedented in his career, and the agency plans to meet with airlines to finalize which flights will be canceled.
Several airlines quickly responded by implementing flexible policies to reassure passengers.
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby mentioned in an internal memo on Wednesday that the company will maintain long-haul international flights and hub-to-hub flights while reducing non-hub regional and domestic routes, offering refunds to all affected passengers, including non-refundable and Economy ticket holders.
Delta Air Lines announced that the majority of its flights will operate as scheduled, allowing affected passengers to change, cancel, or receive refunds free of charge, including Economy class passengers.
American Airlines expects minimal disruption to most of its passengers’ itineraries. They will proactively contact affected passengers for immediate rebooking and waive fees for canceled flights for any reason.
The Flight Attendants Association, representing 55,000 cabin crew members from 20 airlines, released a statement on Wednesday urging Congress to end the shutdown to allow controllers and Transportation Security Administration employees to resume pay.
How should passengers cope with this situation? Experts suggest that passengers should closely monitor airline websites and relevant apps for updates.
Nick Ewen, Senior Editor at travel site The Points Guy, advised maintaining flexibility. Non-urgent travelers can reschedule or use alternative transportation.
AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz recommended arriving early at the airport and avoiding checked baggage to prevent difficulties in locating luggage if flights are canceled. She stated, “Many things are out of passengers’ control, so control the controllable aspects as much as possible and stay as flexible as you can.”
As demand for travel insurance increases due to the shutdown, experts remind passengers that coverage for losses related to government shutdown may be limited, requiring a careful reading of policy terms.
The flight reduction measures highlight the profound impact of the government shutdown on the civil aviation system. Passengers who must travel should plan ahead and remain patient to minimize travel risks.