Major airports in the U.S. are preparing for significant travel disruptions after the federal government mandated that 40 of the busiest airports must cut down on flights due to an ongoing government shutdown.
A complete list detailing which high-traffic airports will be impacted by this unexpected 10% reduction is anticipated to be released by the Federal Aviation Administration later today.
The flight reductions are set to commence on Friday, potentially grounding thousands of flights.
In the meantime, airlines are already adjusting their schedules and are managing a surge in calls from concerned customers.
Which major airports will be affected?
The cuts will affect busy airports like New York’s John F. Kennedy International and LaGuardia, as well as New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport, among others.
More airports listed include Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, Chicago’s O’Hare, Los Angeles International, Boston Logan, and Denver International, all expected to make substantial cuts.
Other airports that may be affected:
- Anchorage International
- Baltimore/Washington International
- Charlotte Douglas International
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International
- Dallas Love
- Ronald Reagan Washington National
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
- Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International
- Honolulu International
- Houston Hobby
- Washington Dulles International
- George Bush Houston Intercontinental
- Indianapolis International
- Las Vegas Harry Reid International
- Orlando International
- Chicago Midway
- Memphis International
- Miami International
- Minneapolis/St. Paul International
- Auckland International
- Ontario International
- Chicago O’Hare International
- Portland International
- Philadelphia International
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International
- San Diego International
- Louisville International
- Seattle/Tacoma International
- San Francisco International
- Salt Lake City International
- Teterboro
- Tampa International
What airlines are saying?
Delta Air Lines has announced that it will start reducing flights from Friday in light of the new guidelines. However, they plan to keep most of their schedules intact, including all long-haul international flights.
United Airlines’ CEO, Scott Kirby, mentioned that they are focusing on cuts to regional and non-hub domestic flights, anticipating that many travelers will need to rebook. He also stressed the airline’s flexible refund policy, offering customers a chance to get a refund if they choose not to fly, regardless of whether their flight is impacted.
American Airlines conveyed a similar message, indicating that disruptions would likely be minimal for most travelers.
In a LinkedIn post, Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle advised customers to have a backup ticket, noting the risk of being stranded if a flight is canceled.
Southwest Airlines is currently assessing the potential effects of the cuts on its operations and plans to keep customers informed promptly.
What does air travel look like in the coming days?
Initial cutbacks are expected to reduce flights by roughly 4% starting Friday, with reductions anticipated to rise to 5% on Saturday, 6% on Sunday, and possibly reach 10% next week if the government shutdown persists.
This situation could significantly disrupt travel plans for millions, especially those heading home for Thanksgiving. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expressed concerns about the potential chaos during this busy travel period, emphasizing that it will be challenging if the shutdown continues. He noted uncertainty around whether planes will operate on time.
Duffy called for unified efforts to navigate the tough situation stemming from the ongoing government shutdown.
