U.S. airlines began canceling hundreds of flights on Thursday after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered a reduction in air traffic at the country’s busiest airports starting Friday, citing safety concerns arising from the ongoing government shutdown.
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.
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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
