Flights reduced at major airports due to government shutdown
Department of Transport Sean Duffy said flights would be cut by 10% at 40 major airports over the weekend.
Airports across the United States are planning to reduce flights as the record government shutdown continues.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced at a press conference on November 5th that the number of flights at 40 major airports will be reduced by 10%. He warned earlier this week that cuts could come as a result of pressure on the country’s air traffic controllers.
“There will be more cancellations, but we will work with the airlines to respond in a planned manner,” Duffy said.
Federal Aviation Secretary Brian Bedford said the cuts “put relief where it will be most effective,” adding that the FAA would work with airlines on how to implement the cuts. “We’re not going to do anything to jeopardize the safety of air travel in the United States,” Bedford said.
Major airports including New York, Atlanta and Los Angeles are on the list of airports targeted for flight reductions, according to reports from ABC News and CBS News, citing anonymous sources. USA TODAY has reached out to the U.S. Department of Transportation and the FAA.
Report: Click here for 40 airports that have reduced flights
ABC News and CBS News report that the airports designated for reduced flights are listed below, but are subject to change once the FAA releases an official list.
- Anchorage International (ANC)
- Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International (ATL)
- Boston Logan International (BOS)
- Baltimore/Washington International (BWI)
- Charlotte Douglas International (CLT)
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International (CVG)
- Dallas Love (DAL)
- Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA)
- Denver International (DEN)
- Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW)
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW)
- Newark Liberty International (EWR)
- Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International (FLL)
- Honolulu reviews (hnn)
- Houston Hobby (HOU)
- Washington Dulles International (IAD)
- George Bush Houston Intercontinental (IAH)
- Indianapolis International (IND)
- New York John F. Kennedy International (JFK)
- Las Vegas Harry Reid International (LAS)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- New York LaGuardia (LGA)
- Orlando International (MCO)
- Chicago Midway (MDW)
- Memphis International (MEM)
- Miami International (MIA)
- Minneapolis/St. Louis Paul International (MSP)
- Auckland International (OAK)
- Ontario International (ONT)
- Chicago O’Hare International (ORD)
- Portland International (PDX)
- Philadelphia International (PHL)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX)
- San Diego International (SAN)
- Louisville International (SDF)
- Seattle/Tacoma International (SEA)
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- Salt Lake City International (SLC)
- Teterboro (TEB)
- Tampa International (TPA)
Airlines also respond to reduced flights
USA TODAY reached out to several airlines on Nov. 5 for comment on the cuts.
In a memo to employees provided to USA TODAY, United CEO Scott Kirby said the airline will focus its cuts on “regional flights” and domestic flights that don’t travel between hubs.
He said customers traveling while flight reductions are in place will be eligible for a refund if they don’t want to fly “even if flights are not affected”. This offer includes a non-refundable basic economy ticket.
American Airlines said in a statement provided to USA TODAY that it does not expect the “vast majority” of its customers to be affected. “If schedule changes occur, we will proactively communicate with affected customers,” the statement said. The airline called on “leaders in Washington” to end the shutdown.
Southwest Airlines said it is “evaluating how the planned FAA flight reductions will impact our schedule and will communicate directly with customers as soon as possible.”
JetBlue responded to a user who posted on
Delta Air Lines submitted comments to the Department of Transportation and the FAA.
Allegiant and Spirit had not responded to requests as of Nov. 5.
Government shutdown strategy up in the air after Democratic Party landslide victory
Duffy’s announcement was in the middle of its 36th day, making it the longest shutdown in U.S. history, with the closure primarily centered around the extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies. The shutdown, now in its 37th day, has already caused thousands of furloughs at federal agencies and cuts and delays in SNAP food assistance.
Democrats’ nearly runaway victory in the off-year election on Nov. 4 clouded prospects for ending the entrenched stalemate.
President Donald Trump blamed the government shutdown for the Republican Party’s heavy losses across the country.
Democratic senators cited the sweep as a reason not to concede on the government shutdown, but the most vocal was Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), who said at a press conference on November 5, “The reason Democrats are winning right now is because they’re with working people,” adding, “If they give in, they lose.”
Republican lawmakers are divided on what the loss means, with some including House Speaker Mike Johnson saying they expected a Democratic victory, while Sen. Jim Justice (R-West Virginia) said, “If this isn’t a message to all Republicans, then we’re in a chokehold.”
Contributors: Katherine Palmer, Kathleen Wong, Zachary Charmelet – USA TODAY
