Travellers across the United States are being caught off-guard as more than 700 domestic flights are cancelled, after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued directives to reduce flight volumes amid the ongoing government shutdown. The cutbacks mark an unprecedented move to maintain aviation safety in the face of mounting staffing and operational pressures.
What is happening
The FAA has ordered U.S. airlines to reduce domestic flight capacity at around 40 of the country’s busiest airports.
The reductions are being phased in: starting at approximately 4 % of flights this Friday, rising toward 10 % in the following days if the shutdown continues.
The cuts apply only to domestic flights; international operations are exempt for now.
According to airlines:
Delta Air Lines reported about 170 flights to be cancelled for Friday.
American Airlines planned to cancel about 220 a day through Monday.
United Airlines expected around 510 services cancelled over Friday to Sunday.
Why this is happening
The root cause lies with the extended U.S. federal government shutdown, which has impacted key aviation-support services and staffing:
The FAA and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are experiencing staffing shortages, mandatory overtime, and unpaid work because many employees are working without pay.
The FAA says the decision to scale back flights is a proactive safety measure — reducing operational volume to alleviate pressure on controllers and maintain safe service.
Which airports and flights are affected
While the full list of 40 airports has not been publicly enumerated by the FAA as of publication, media and analysts have identified likely affected hubs:
Major airports such as John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), and several others likely figure among the impacted list.
Analyses suggest up to 1,800 flights and ~268,000 airline seats could be eliminated if the full 10 % reduction takes effect.
For travellers: flights to smaller cities, non-hub domestic routes, and high-frequency but lower-demand services may be more vulnerable to cancellation.
What this means for travellers
Even though the percentage reduction may seem modest at first (4 %), the disruption may ripple: changes in schedule, longer connection times, limited rebooking options, and uncertainty.
If you’re booked on a domestic flight (especially non-hub or regional routes) in the U.S., you should:
Monitor your flight status closely and check with your airline for notices.
Be ready for rebooking or cancellation; airlines are offering refunds or alternate options if your flight is cancelled.
If your travel is time-sensitive (business meeting, family event, etc.), consider making contingency plans — e.g., alternate airlines, earlier/later flights.
Safety: The FAA emphasises that flying remains safe. The reductions are preventive, not reactive to a major incident.
International travellers: If your itinerary includes U.S. domestic segments, expect possible disruption. International flights themselves are not facing the mandated cutbacks at present.
Impacts & broader context
The shutdown has now entered record-breaking territory in the U.S., and agencies say the staffing cumulative toll is pressing.
For airlines: this could mean operational cost rises (rerouting, cancellations), reputational hit and increased customer service burden.
For the industry: the move signals how infrastructure resilience can be threatened by government funding impasses.
For travellers from outside the U.S., this may affect connections, schedules and onward domestic travel within the U.S.
FAQs
Q1. How many flights have been cancelled so far due to the FAA order?
As of early Friday, over 700 domestic flights have been reported cancelled across U.S. carriers.
Q2. Are international flights affected?
No. The cuts currently apply only to domestic U.S. flights. International services remain unaffected under this directive.
Q3. If my flight is cancelled, am I eligible for a refund?
Yes — airlines are offering refunds or alternative travel options for cancelled flights under this mandate. However, non-flight costs (hotel, transfers) may not always be covered.
Q4. Which airports are most likely impacted?
The 40 “high-volume” airports selected are among the busiest U.S. hubs — such as JFK, LGA, LAX, ORD, ATL, Denver, Miami, San Francisco, Boston.
Q5. When will the reductions end or how long will this last?
There is no firm end-date: the reductions will continue as long as the FAA deems flight volumes unsafe given staffing constraints, and as the government shutdown persists.
Q6. What should travellers do now?
Re-check your flight status before you travel.
Consider flexibility in your itinerary: earlier flight, alternate route, different carrier.
Build buffer time for connections and airports.
If you’re flying domestically in the U.S., give yourself extra margin.
Keep contact details of your carrier handy and know the refund/change policy.
Published on : 7TH November
Source Credit : Pratik Prashant Mukane
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