Airlines Cut 1,000 Flights as U.S. Government Shutdown Looms

Travelers across the United States faced disruptions on Friday as airlines canceled over 1,000 flights in response to a government shutdown impacting air traffic operations. While many flights remained on schedule, anxiety lingered among passengers as further cancellations are anticipated to comply with directives from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This order aims to reduce service at the busiest airports across the country.

The FAA’s directive has prompted some travelers to make contingency plans, including renting cars and exploring alternative routes. Although the canceled flights accounted for a small fraction of the total air traffic nationwide, passengers at 40 airports, including major hubs in Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, and Charlotte, North Carolina, faced delays and lengthy security lines.

Airlines are currently managing the situation, predicting limited disruptions over the weekend. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated on Fox News that if the shutdown continues, the number of flight cancellations could escalate from an initial 10% reduction to between 15% and 20%.

Travelers Face Long Waits and Last-Minute Scrambles

At Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport, travelers arriving before dawn encountered security lines that moved slowly, leading some to lie down while waiting. “It was snaking around all different parts of the regular area,” remarked passenger Cara Bergeron, who flew from Houston to Atlanta.

Others experienced more severe disruptions. Surgeon Karen Soika from Greenwich, Connecticut, found her flight out of Newark, New Jersey, rescheduled to an earlier time. She later discovered it was departing from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, which would require a lengthy drive. After struggling to secure a rental car to reach her destination in Utah, Soika decided on an unconventional solution: “I’m going to U-Haul and I’m going to drive a truck cross country,” she said, as she prepares to assist with medical scenes for a spinoff of the TV series “Yellowstone.”

On Friday, flight tracking service FlightAware reported that at least 1,000 flights were canceled nationwide, a significant increase from the previous day. Major disruptions were noted at airports in Chicago, Atlanta, Denver, and Dallas. Notably, not all cancellations stemmed from the FAA’s order; many were also linked to increasing absenteeism among air traffic controllers who are currently working without pay.

Airlines Adapt to Maintain Service

Airlines are working to rebook affected passengers as quickly as possible. United Airlines reported that more than half of the travelers impacted by cancellations were scheduled to reach their destinations within four hours of their original plans. The airline’s representative, Josh Freed, explained that the reductions primarily targeted smaller regional routes where multiple flights exist, minimizing the number of passengers impacted.

For instance, American Airlines reduced its daily flights from Dallas to northwest Arkansas from 10 to 8. Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines canceled approximately 170 flights on Friday, and American planned to cut 220 flights daily through Monday. Southwest Airlines also reported cutting about 120 flights on the same day.

As travelers seek alternatives, rental car companies like Hertz observed a significant increase in one-way rentals. The FAA announced that reductions affecting all commercial airlines would start at 4% of flights at the busiest airports, eventually escalating to 10% a week from Friday.

Passengers have expressed frustration, highlighting the broader implications of the shutdown. “Everyone’s paying the price for the politics that’s going on. We’re just collateral damage,” said Michele Cuthbert of Columbus, Ohio, regarding her upcoming flight to Dallas.

If the shutdown persists, the economic impact could extend beyond passenger travel. Nearly half of all U.S. air freight is transported in the holds of passenger planes. This disruption could lead to increased shipping costs, according to Patrick Penfield, a professor at Syracuse University.

Understanding the Shutdown’s Impact

The FAA attributes the flight reductions to the need to alleviate pressure on air traffic controllers, who have been working without pay for over a month. Many are on six-day work weeks, and the financial strain has led to increased absenteeism among controllers. “I don’t want to see the disruption. I don’t want to see the delays,” Secretary Duffy noted during a press conference at Ronald Reagan National Airport.

As the Trump administration increases pressure on congressional Democrats to resolve the shutdown, the FAA has indicated that flight reductions will remain in effect until safety data improves. In response, Denver International Airport has initiated measures to support its federal employees, including creating a food pantry and requesting permission from the FAA to use airport revenues to pay for controllers’ wages.

Airlines are navigating uncharted territory as they respond to the evolving situation. Kerry Tan, a professor at Loyola University Maryland, emphasized that the uncertainty surrounding the government shutdown complicates airlines’ ability to plan effectively.

Travelers are encouraged to remain proactive. The Department of Transportation mandates that airlines must refund customers for canceled flights, though they are not obligated to cover costs for food or accommodations unless delays arise from airline-controlled factors.

As travelers like Christina Schlegel, a travel adviser from Arlington, Virginia, prepare for upcoming flights, she suggests that passengers monitor their flights closely and consider alternative options. “People really should be thinking what else can I do?” she advised, emphasizing the importance of being prepared.

As the situation unfolds, the impact of the government shutdown continues to resonate through the airline industry and beyond, affecting passengers, freight, and the broader economy.