Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
As the US government shutdown stretches into its sixth week, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered flight reductions at 40 major airports, signaling widespread travel disruptions across the country. The move comes in response to air traffic control shortages, as controllers face mandatory unpaid overtime and extended workweeks, creating fatigue-related safety concerns.
On 7 November, the first day of FAA-imposed cuts, over 790 flights were canceled, affecting up to 268,000 passengers. By mid-November, reductions are expected to reach 10% during peak hours between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., with some estimates projecting up to 1,800 flights lost daily.
Airports Most Affected
Major hubs targeted include:
- Atlanta (ATL), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Denver (DEN), Los Angeles (LAX), Charlotte (CLT)
- New York area: JFK, LaGuardia (LGA), Newark (EWR)
- Houston: IAH, HOU; Chicago: ORD, MDW; Washington: DCA, IAD
- Other major airports: Boston (BOS), Baltimore/Washington (BWI), Orlando (MCO), Miami (MIA), Phoenix (PHX), Seattle (SEA), Honolulu (HNL), Las Vegas (LAS), San Francisco (SFO)
Cargo hubs like Memphis (MEM) and Louisville (SDF) face significant delivery delays, compounding economic impacts.
Airlines Respond with Preemptive Cancellations
Major carriers have acted swiftly to comply with FAA directives. American Airlines cut 220 daily flights at affected hubs from 7–10 November, preserving international routes. Delta Airlines preemptively canceled flights on 7–8 November, offering fee waivers and rebooking flexibility. Frontier Airlines advised travelers to secure backup flights with other carriers.
Industry analysts warn that these reductions could have ripple effects throughout the US air transportation system, with projections indicating 1.9 million disrupted business events and significant local economic impacts.
Advice for Travelers
- Seek rebooking on later flights if canceled; full refunds are required for outright cancellations, including non-refundable tickets.
- Airlines are not required to provide automatic cash for meals or lodging unless disruptions are under airline control.
- Use flight-tracking apps, consider traveling during off-peak hours, or explore alternate modes like trains or cars for short trips.
Passengers are advised to monitor schedules closely as the shutdown persists, with ongoing delays expected during the peak holiday travel season.
