Trump Administration to Cut Flights at 40 Major U.S. Airports if Shutdown Persists

The Federal Aviation Administration announced plans to reduce flights at 40 major U.S. airports beginning Friday if no agreement is reached to end the ongoing government shutdown. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Wednesday that up to 10 percent of air traffic at some of the country’s busiest airports could be cut, potentially affecting thousands of flights.

The reductions would include the nation’s “core 30” airports, such as those in New York City, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Seattle. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said airlines are being asked to work collaboratively to reduce their schedules, describing the action as “prescriptive” and “surgical.”

National Transportation Safety Board Chairperson Jennifer Homendy supported the move, saying pressures in the system are increasing as air traffic controllers continue to work without pay. More than 400 staffing shortages have been reported at FAA facilities since the start of the shutdown, over four times the number seen a year ago.

Airlines have begun preparing for the cuts. United Airlines plans to preemptively cancel about 4 percent of its schedule—roughly 200 regional flights—on Friday, with similar reductions expected through the weekend. Frontier Airlines advised travelers to consider booking backup tickets, while Delta, American, and Southwest said they expect to maintain most long-haul and international flights. All major carriers have issued flexible travel policies, allowing passengers to change or cancel flights without penalty.

The FAA said the plan could also affect private and space launch operations in select markets. “We are going to proactively make decisions that keep the airspace safe,” Duffy said.

Here are some of the airports expected to be impacted: Los Angeles International (LAX), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL), Chicago O’Hare International (ORD), Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW), Miami International (MIA), San Diego International (SAN), Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX), and Seattle/Tacoma International (SEA), among others.

Credit: CNN Newsource

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