Uncertainty is quickly mounting for air travelers across the United States. A new government directive cutting flights at numerous major airports became effective on Friday. This reduction is presented as a necessary step to mitigate air traffic safety concerns.
These issues directly arise from staff shortages linked to the nation’s ongoing, record-long government shutdown.
The administration of President Donald Trump ordered airlines to scale back flight capacity at 40 airports nationwide. The mandated cut started Friday morning at four percent and is scheduled to increase to a 10 percent reduction next week.
Major Hubs Experience Flight Reductions
The decision to limit flights will directly impact some of the nation’s busiest travel centers. These affected locations include Los Angeles, Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, and Houston.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy defended the new mandate during a White House briefing. He pushed back against criticism that suggested the order was politically motivated. “This isn’t about politics, it’s about assessing the data and alleviating building risk in the system,” Duffy explained.
The government shutdown, which started on October 1, now holds the record as the longest in the country’s history. It has left tens of thousands of essential workers, including air traffic controllers and security staff, without pay.
Wave of Cancellations and Travel Delays
The first day of capacity cuts initiated a wave of flight cancellations. The tracking website FlightAware reported that over 800 flights scheduled for Friday were canceled. Major carriers confirmed substantial reductions:
- American Airlines reported its scaled-back schedule involved 220 flight cancellations daily.
- Delta Airlines indicated approximately 170 flights scheduled for Friday were cut.
- Southwest Airlines reportedly canceled around 100 flights set for that day.
On Thursday, before the order took effect, over 6,800 U.S. flights were delayed. Passengers face long waits at security checkpoints.
Travelers at Newark and Boston airports experienced average delays exceeding two hours. Delays surpassed one hour at Chicago’s O’Hare and Washington’s Reagan National airports.
Safety Prioritized Amid Unprecedented Crisis
Officials stressed the vital necessity of taking immediate action to prevent a major accident. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford confirmed the urgency of the situation.
“We’re not going to wait for a safety problem to truly manifest itself,” he said. The early data indicated that preventative action was required today to stop things from getting worse.
The flight reductions begin as the U.S. approaches its busiest travel time of the year, with the Thanksgiving holiday quickly approaching. Millions of Americans face the risk of travel chaos due to the staff shortages. Nevertheless, the administration aimed to reassure the public that air travel remains safe.
“It’s safe to fly today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the proactive actions we are taking,” Duffy stated on social media late Thursday.
Operational Challenges and Worker Hardship
Implementing the cutbacks quickly presents a challenge for airline operations. Delta and United Airlines, two of the country’s largest carriers, confirmed they would comply.
They noted the order would not impact their international routes. United also indicated that “hub-to-hub” flying would remain unaffected, suggesting cancellations would focus on more regional routes.
Federal agencies have been struggling since Congress failed to approve funding past September 30. Consequently, approximately 1.4 million federal workers remain caught in the situation.
Many in high-stress aviation jobs are reporting sick. Furthermore, some are potentially taking second jobs to cover their bills, Duffy mentioned on Wednesday.
FAA Administrator Bedford stated the current situation is unprecedented. “I am not aware in my 35-year history in the aviation market where we’ve had a situation where we’re taking these kinds of measures,” he commented. He concluded: “Then again, we’re in new territory in terms of government shutdowns.”
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