UPDATE: Starting Friday, October 6, 2023, flight operations will be drastically reduced at 40 major U.S. airports, including Newark, New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, due to an ongoing government shutdown. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced a 10% reduction in air traffic across “high-volume” markets to ensure safety as air traffic controllers continue to work without pay and face increasing stress.
This urgent move will impact some of the busiest airports in the country, including Atlanta, Denver, Dallas, Orlando, Miami, and San Francisco. Many cities, such as New York, Houston, and Chicago, will see multiple airports affected. Passengers are advised to prepare for significant travel disruptions as cancellations begin to roll out, with notifications expected to start Thursday.
The FAA’s flight reductions aim to alleviate pressure on air traffic controllers who have been missing paychecks since the shutdown began on October 1. Controllers typically work mandatory overtime, which has left many without options to make ends meet. “We can’t ignore it,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. “We’re in new territory in terms of government shutdowns.”
As many as 1,800 flights could be affected daily, translating to over 268,000 passengers facing changes to their travel plans. Airlines including United, Delta, and American are scrambling to adjust their schedules and have pledged to provide refunds for those wishing to cancel their flights, even on non-refundable tickets. United Airlines will focus its reductions on smaller regional routes, while Frontier Airlines has advised travelers to consider backup tickets with other carriers to avoid being stranded.
The FAA has been dealing with staffing shortages as controllers continue to call in sick due to financial strain. Recent reports show that from Friday to Sunday, at least 39 air traffic control facilities reported potential staffing limits, significantly higher than averages seen before the shutdown. This situation is compounded by the fact that controllers are scheduled to miss another paycheck next week, raising fears of chaos in the skies.
The U.S. Travel Association has expressed deep concern over the shutdown’s impact on travel, stating that it “disrupts travel and damages confidence in the U.S. air travel experience.” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has indicated that meetings are planned with airline executives to discuss safety measures amidst these unprecedented reductions.
As the shutdown stretches on, airlines are working to minimize passenger disruption, but the reality is stark: travel plans for many Americans will be thrown into uncertainty. Officials urge travelers to remain vigilant and check their flight statuses frequently as conditions develop.
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