FAA Orders Flight Cuts at 40 Airports Amid Shutdown
FAA Orders Flight Cuts at 40 Airports Amid Shutdown
The FAA directs U.S. carriers to trim flights at 40 airports to ease controller strain during the ongoing government shutdown.
The Federal Aviation Administration issued an Emergency Order directing U.S. carriers to curb scheduled domestic operations at 40 high-impact airports as the government shutdown stretches on. The action is framed as a proactive safety measure, aimed at reducing system risk as air-traffic controllers continue to work without pay.
The reductions start Friday at 4% and are set to rise to 10% by November 14, with cuts applying to flights between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. local time. Officials say the change is designed to preserve safety while the staffing pattern remains strained; international flights are not affected.
The FAA notes the affected airports include major hubs such as Atlanta, Boston, and Chicago, along with all three New York-area airports: JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark Liberty. The exact list is tailored to the latest safety data and may be adjusted as conditions evolve.
Airlines are required to adjust schedules accordingly, and travelers should check with their carriers for the latest itineraries. The order comes amid broader disruptions tied to the government shutdown, with potential ripple effects for holiday travel and business trips.
The agency stresses this step is to keep the National Airspace System operating safely even as staffing and pay issues persist, and it will recalibrate reductions as new safety data becomes available.
Cover image source: United, Delta, American Airlines Stocks Fall After FAA Announces Flight Reductions 🔗
