According to flight-tracking service FlightAware, more than 760 flights scheduled for Friday were canceled — quadruple the number recorded on Thursday — and that figure was expected to rise. The FAA directive affects 40 airports across over two dozen states, including major hubs in Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, and Charlotte, North Carolina. Multiple airports in metropolitan regions such as New York, Chicago, Houston, and Washington, D.C., will also face capacity cuts.

FAA Reduces Flights to Ensure Safety During Staffing Shortages

In an order published Thursday evening, the FAA said flight operations would be reduced by 4% starting Friday, gradually increasing to 10% by November 14. The reductions apply daily between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. local time, covering all commercial carriers.

The decision aims to maintain aviation safety standards as air traffic controllers continue to work without pay during the federal shutdown that began October 1. Many controllers have reportedly taken sick leave or reduced hours as financial and mental strain grows.

“With continued delays and unpredictable staffing shortages driving fatigue, risk is further increasing, and the FAA is concerned with the system’s ability to maintain the current volume of operations,” the agency wrote in its order.

Airlines Begin Widespread Schedule Adjustments

Major airlines scrambled to adjust schedules before the restrictions took effect. American Airlines said it would cut its schedule by 4% at the affected airports from Friday through Monday — roughly 220 flights daily — and progressively align with the FAA’s 10% reduction target. The airline noted its international routes would remain largely unaffected.

Other carriers, including Delta, Southwest, and United, were assessing which routes to trim, with early indications showing regional and medium-sized city routes most likely to face cancellations.

Industry analyst Henry Harteveldt warned that “this is going to have a noticeable impact across the U.S. air transportation system,” especially as the reductions coincide with the early stages of the holiday travel season.

Travelers Face Uncertainty Amid Cancellations

Passengers across the United States have expressed frustration and uncertainty as the shutdown disrupts travel plans. Some began canceling or rescheduling trips preemptively to avoid potential stranding.

Fallon Carter, a traveler from New York, canceled her flight to Tampa, Florida, worried she might not make it back in time for a friend’s wedding. “I don’t know if I get there, will I get home?” she said.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), passengers whose flights are canceled are entitled to full refunds, even for non-refundable tickets. However, airlines are not legally required to provide compensation for meals, hotels, or other expenses unless the cancellation is within the airline’s control.

How Passengers Can Handle Flight Disruptions

Travel experts advise passengers to rebook directly with their airlines if a flight is canceled. Most carriers will place affected travelers on the next available flight at no extra cost, though rebooking on competing airlines remains at the discretion of the original carrier.

Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle recommended travelers consider purchasing backup tickets with alternative airlines in case of long-term disruptions, adding that “passengers should plan for uncertainty until operations stabilize.”

Broader Effects on Cargo and Space Operations

The FAA restrictions also affect smaller carriers operating scheduled charter flights, though international routes are exempt. The order may disrupt package delivery operations, as two key cargo hubs — FedEx in Memphis, Tennessee, and UPS in Louisville, Kentucky — are among the affected airports.

The FAA further announced that commercial space launches will be limited to nighttime hours, between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., starting Monday.

Aviation data firm Cirium estimated that up to 1,800 flights — potentially affecting more than 268,000 passengers daily — could be canceled if the shutdown persists.

Shutdown Deepens Strain on the Aviation System

The U.S. Travel Association said the ongoing shutdown is “damaging confidence in the U.S. air travel experience,” adding that prolonged uncertainty could deter both domestic and international travelers.

Kelly Matthews, a frequent flyer from Michigan, said she canceled most of her upcoming business trips. “You can’t expect people to go in to work when they’re not getting a paycheck for over a month,” she said. “It’s not that they don’t want to do their jobs — they simply can’t afford it.”

An Associated Press analysis found that at least 39 air traffic control facilities reported staffing shortages between Friday and Sunday, marking one of the most strained weekends since the shutdown began.

Outlook: Prolonged Disruptions Until Shutdown Ends

Airlines regularly manage cancellations during severe weather events, but analysts note the current disruptions differ because they stem from indefinite policy constraints rather than temporary conditions.

Unless Congress reaches an agreement to reopen the government, the FAA’s phased reductions could continue indefinitely, forcing airlines to operate with diminished schedules and travelers to brace for ongoing cancellations through the busy holiday season.

Source: AP News – US flight cancellations accelerate as airlines comply with government shutdown order

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MANILA, Philippines — A tragic incident unfolded early Sunday morning at Ninoy Aquino International Airport when a vehicle plowed into an airport entrance, killing two people, including a young girl.

Authorities confirmed that the girl, whose age was reported as either 4 or 5, was among the fatalities. Transportation Secretary Vivencio Hizon cited her age as 5, while the Philippine Red Cross reported she was 4. The second fatality was an adult male, according to a statement from the Red Cross.

Three others sustained injuries in the crash and are currently being treated at a nearby hospital, Hizon added.

The black SUV involved in the incident rammed into a wall near one of the airport’s entrances. Photos and video from the scene showed dozens of emergency responders surrounding the wrecked vehicle before it was eventually removed.

The driver of the SUV is now in police custody. The airport’s operator, New NAIA Infra Co., confirmed they are working closely with authorities as the investigation into the cause of the crash continues.

This heartbreaking accident has raised fresh concerns about safety protocols at one of the country’s busiest transport hubs.

Source: AP News – Vehicle crashes into entrance at Manila airport, killing 2 people including a young girl

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United Parcel Service (UPS) announced Tuesday it will eliminate around 20,000 jobs and close 73 facilities as part of a sweeping cost-cutting plan tied to its decreasing reliance on Amazon.

The move comes as the package delivery giant prepares to significantly scale back its business with Amazon, its biggest — but less profitable — customer. The cuts are expected to take place throughout 2025, with facility closures targeted for completion by the end of June. UPS is still reviewing its network, meaning more closures could follow.

“The actions we are taking to reconfigure our network and reduce cost across our business could not be timelier,” said CEO Carol Tomé. “The macro environment may be uncertain, but with our actions, we will emerge as an even stronger, more nimble UPS.”

In January, UPS revealed it had reached a deal with Amazon to reduce package volume by more than 50% by the second half of 2026. Tomé emphasized that while Amazon has been a key partner for nearly 30 years, its deliveries weren’t boosting the bottom line.

“Amazon is our largest customer, but it’s not our most profitable one,” she explained. “Its margin is very dilutive to the U.S. domestic business.”

UPS evaluated several strategic options before settling on cutting volume — a move the company believes will ultimately lead to better operational efficiency and profitability.

The announcement came alongside UPS’s first-quarter earnings report. The Atlanta-based company posted a net income of $1.19 billion ($1.40 per share) for the quarter ending March 31. Excluding certain items, earnings hit $1.49 per share, topping analysts’ expectations of $1.44.

Revenue also beat Wall Street forecasts, coming in at $21.55 billion, compared to an estimated $21.06 billion.

Despite the financial beat, UPS is holding off on updating its full-year forecast due to ongoing economic uncertainty. Previously, the company projected $89 billion in revenue for 2025.

UPS, which employs around 490,000 people, saw its stock rise slightly in early trading following the news.

Source: AP News – UPS to cut 20,000 jobs, close some facilities as it reduces amount of Amazon shipments it handles

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