FAA Begins Flight Reductions at 40 U.S. Airports as Shutdown Strains Air System

FAA Begins Flight Reductions at 40 U.S. Airports as Shutdown Strains Air System

The Federal Aviation Administration has begun enforcing a 10% cut in scheduled flights at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports as the government shutdown enters its second month.  

The reductions, first announced Wednesday, are aimed at reducing stress on unpaid air traffic controllers, who have been working six-day weeks with mandatory overtime since the shutdown began on Oct. 1. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the action is “a necessary step to keep the system safe” amid record fatigue and staffing shortages.

“This is about preserving safety standards while our workforce operates under extraordinary conditions,” Bedford said.

The flight limits took effect at 12:01 a.m. Friday, prompting hundreds of cancellations nationwide as airlines adjusted schedules. Major carriers have warned travelers to expect continued disruptions throughout the weekend.

The 40 Airports Affected

The FAA’s order applies to airports that handle the highest traffic volumes across the country, from coast to coast:

1. Anchorage International (AK)

2. Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International (GA)

3. Boston Logan International (MA)

4. Baltimore/Washington International (MD)

5. Charlotte Douglas International (NC)

6. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International (KY)

7. Dallas Love Field (TX)

8. Ronald Reagan Washington National (VA)

9. Denver International (CO)

10. Dallas/Fort Worth International (TX)

11. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (MI)

12. Newark Liberty International (NJ)

13. Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International (FL)

14. Honolulu International (HI)

15. Houston Hobby (TX)

16. Washington Dulles International (VA)

17. George Bush Intercontinental–Houston (TX)

18. Indianapolis International (IN)

19. John F. Kennedy International (NY)

20. Harry Reid International (Las Vegas, NV)

21. Los Angeles International (CA)

22. LaGuardia Airport (NY)

23. Orlando International (FL)

24. Chicago Midway International (IL)

25. Memphis International (TN)

26. Miami International (FL)

27. Minneapolis–St. Paul International (MN)

28. Oakland International (CA)

29. Ontario International (CA)

30. Chicago O’Hare International (IL)

31. Portland International (OR)

32. Philadelphia International (PA)

33. Phoenix Sky Harbor International (AZ)

34. San Diego International (CA)

35. Louisville International (KY)

36. Seattle–Tacoma International (WA)

37. San Francisco International (CA)

38. Salt Lake City International (UT)

39. Teterboro Airport (NJ)

40. Tampa International (FL)

41. 
    

Airlines Adjust as Passengers Face Delays

Major U.S. airlines have reported hundreds of cancellations and rolling delays. Most carriers are waiving change fees for affected passengers, but caution that rebooking options may be limited.

Travelers whose flights are canceled are entitled to full refunds, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, though airlines are not required to provide hotel or meal vouchers.

FAA: “Safety Is Not Negotiable”

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the order reflects growing urgency within the agency to protect both controllers and the flying public. “Safety is not negotiable,” Duffy said. “These reductions are temporary but essential until we can restore full staffing and funding.”

The FAA has not given an end date for the reductions, saying they will remain in place until “normal operations can safely resume.”

Aviation unions have renewed calls for Congress to end the shutdown immediately. “Controllers are reaching a breaking point,” said a statement from the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. “They continue to show up unpaid to protect the skies. They should not have to.”

What’s Changing

The FAA order requires airlines operating at affected airports to scale back daily flight schedules between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. local time, gradually reaching the 10 percent cut by November 14:

• 4% reduction effective November 7

• 6% reduction by November 11

• 8% reduction by November 13

• 10% reduction by November 14

While international flights are not directly affected, airlines will determine which domestic routes to reduce. The FAA will monitor compliance daily, and violations could carry fines of up to $75,000 per flight. The FAA said it will provide updates as conditions evolve.