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Airlines are grappling with a significant reduction in their schedules as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) enforces increased flight cutbacks this week.
WASHINGTON — The U.S. is experiencing a surge in flight cancellations, surpassing 2,000 for the second consecutive day, due to continued FAA-mandated air traffic reductions. This disruption compounds the challenges facing travelers amidst the longest government shutdown in the nation’s history.
On Monday, reports from FlightAware indicated that 2,110 flights were canceled, with more than 6,800 experiencing delays.
As the fourth day of flight restrictions unfolded, airlines continued to slash flights, even though a potential resolution to the government shutdown began to take shape late Sunday. The Senate was poised for a final vote on Monday to conclude the shutdown, but the spending bill still required approval from the House, and the conclusion of this legislative process could take several days. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized last week that flight reductions would persist beyond the shutdown’s end until the FAA observes an improvement in safety metrics.
The previous week saw the FAA instruct airlines to initially decrease air traffic by 4% at 40 major airports across the country, leading to widespread flight cancellations over the weekend and carrying into the new week. By Tuesday, the cutbacks were set to rise to 6%, escalating to 10% by the end of the week.
According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, Sunday witnessed the cancellation of one out of every 10 flights nationwide, marking the fourth-highest number of cancellations in nearly two years.
Not all flight cancellations and delays over the weekend were a result of the FAA restrictions as wintry weather and thunderstorms forced disruptions in Chicago, Nashville, Atlanta and Philadelphia.
Delta announced Monday that it canceled nearly 500 flights and that all flight reductions have been completed through Wednesday, Nov. 12. Southwest canceled 140 flights for Monday, 155 flights for Tuesday and 145 flights for Wednesday.
The FAA expanded flight restrictions Monday, barring business jets and many private flights from using a dozen airports already under commercial flight limits.
“Safety is the cornerstone of business aviation, and NBAA is fully committed to ensuring the safety of the NAS,” National Business Aviation Association President Ed Bolen said in a statement Sunday. “Among the ways we will do that is to ensure business aviation operators have an understanding of these restrictions and their implications.”
“Above all, this moment underscores the need to reopen the government to serve all Americans,” Bolen continued. “NBAA stands with the rest of the aviation community in calling upon Congress to end the shutdown immediately, and for the NOTAMs to be repealed when the government reopens.” NBAA has joined with other stakeholders in the Modern Skies coalition in calling on Congress to end the shutdown without delay.”
Which airports are reducing flights? Full list of cities affected by FAA service cuts
- Anchorage International (ANC)
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL)
- Boston Logan International (BOS)
- Baltimore/Washington International (BWI)
- Charlotte Douglas International (CLT)
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International (CVG)
- Dallas Love Field (DAL)
- Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA)
- Denver International (DEN)
- Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW)
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW)
- Newark Liberty International (EWR)
- Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International (FLL)
- Honolulu International (HNL)
- Houston Hobby Airport (HOU)
- Washington Dulles International (IAD)
- George Bush Houston Intercontinental (IAH)
- Indianapolis International (IND)
- New York John F. Kennedy International (JFK)
- Las Vegas McCarran International (LAS)
- Los Angeles International (LAX)
- New York LaGuardia (LGA)
- Orlando International (MCO)
- Chicago Midway (MDW)
- Memphis International (MEM)
- Miami International (MIA)
- Minneapolis/St. Paul International (MSP)
- Oakland International (OAK)
- Ontario International (ONT)
- Chicago O’Hare International (ORD)
- Portland International (PDX)
- Philadelphia International (PHL)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX)
- San Diego International (SAN)
- Louisville International (SDF)
- Seattle/Tacoma International (SEA)
- San Francisco International (SFO)
- Salt Lake City International (SLC)
- Teterboro Airport (TEB)
- Tampa International (TPA)
Why are flights being canceled?
The FAA is imposing the flight reductions to relieve pressure on air traffic controllers who are working without pay during the government shutdown. The agency has already been delaying flights at times when airports or other FAA facilities are short on controllers.
The aviation safety agency said the cuts will keep airspace safe during the government shutdown, which is now the longest on record.
Air traffic controllers have been working unpaid since the shutdown began Oct. 1. Most work mandatory overtime six days a week, leaving little time for side jobs to help cover bills and other expenses unless they call out.
