Hundreds of flights set for Nov. 7 were cut at major U.S. airports as part of the Federal Aviation Administration’s effort to phase in 10% reductions because of the government shutdown.
The FAA is imposing the reductions to take pressure off air traffic controllers, who are federal employees and have been working without pay during the shutdown.
In addition to reduced flight traffic, the shutdown has led to more flight delays, with experts advising travelers to check flight statuses before heading to the airport, among other tips.
The 40 airports selected by the FAA for reductions span more than two dozen states and include hubs such as Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Miami and Newark, according to an order published by the agency Nov. 6. More than 815 flights have been called off nationwide, according to FlightAware. Delta Air Lines said it would scratch roughly 170 flights Nov. 7, and American Airlines planned to cut 220 daily through Nov. 10.
Three percent of all U.S. flights scheduled for Nov. 7—or 748 flights—had been canceled as of 6 a.m. ET, while about 1.7% of Nov. 8 flights had been canceled, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.
Air traffic controllers have gone without paychecks during the shutdown. That has led to controllers calling in sick and contributed to staffing shortages that have affected air travel for weeks. Most controllers work mandatory overtime six days a week during the shutdown without pay, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association has said.
That leaves little time for a side job unless controllers call in sick to the FAA.
The reductions began Nov. 7 and airlines have said people could see weekend travel plans disrupted with little notice.
Airlines will phase in reductions at the direction of the FAA, starting by eliminating 4% of flights at the targeted airports and building to 10%, according to the agency’s order.
United Airlines will cut 4% of its flights this weekend based on guidance from the FAA, said company spokesperson Josh Freed.
It is unclear when the reduced flights could end. Airlines, unions and the travel industry have urged Congress to end the shutdown, which on Nov. 5 became the longest on record.
United and Delta both said they would offer refunds to travelers who opt not to fly, even if they have tickets that aren’t normally refundable.
The cuts could also disrupt package deliveries because two airports with major distribution centers are on the list. FedEx operates at the Memphis, Tennessee, airport and UPS in Louisville, Kentucky, where recently, there was a deadly cargo plane crash. (AP)