Millions of Americans planning to fly this month may be forced to change their travel plans weeks ahead of the busy holiday season if the longest government shutdown in U.S. history continues.
Starting Friday, the Trump administration will reduce flights at 40 airports nationwide by 4%, with gradual cuts reaching up to 10% by next Friday if the shutdown persists, according to an emergency order issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Several major airlines have already preemptively canceled hundreds of scheduled flights for Friday and through the weekend. The impact will be similar to a day of severe weather, one airline official told CNN. However, unlike a storm, these disruptions will be spread across multiple cities rather than confined to a specific geographic region.
Here’s what travelers need to know if the travel nightmare becomes reality on Friday:
Which 40 Airports Will Lose Flights?
The flight reductions will target 40 “high-traffic markets,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. “We’re asking airlines to cooperate with us in adjusting their schedules.”
The FAA order, issued Thursday, includes the three major New York City airports — LaGuardia (LGA), John F. Kennedy International (JFK), and Newark Liberty International (EWR).
Other affected airports in the Northeast include Boston Logan International, Philadelphia International, and Teterboro Airport in New Jersey.
Here are the other regions where cuts will begin Friday:
Midwest: Indianapolis International, Chicago Midway International, Chicago O’Hare International, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County, Louisville International, and Minneapolis–St. Paul International.
South: Charlotte Douglas International, Dallas Love Field, Dallas–Fort Worth International, Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International, Houston Hobby, George Bush Intercontinental (Houston), Memphis International, Orlando International, Miami International, and Tampa International.
Washington, D.C. area: Baltimore/Washington International (BWI), Washington Dulles International, and Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA).
West: Denver International, Las Vegas McCarran International, Los Angeles International (LAX), Oakland International, Ontario International, Portland International, Phoenix Sky Harbor International, San Diego International, Seattle–Tacoma International, San Francisco International, and Salt Lake City International.
Hawaii and Alaska: Anchorage International and Honolulu International.
Many smaller airports could also be affected, since flights from major hubs under FAA restrictions often connect to regional destinations.
How Many Flights Will Be Cut?
A 10% reduction in flights, as defined by the FAA, could result in thousands of cancellations per day — an unprecedented disruption.
The cuts will begin with a 4% reduction at 6 a.m. Friday, increasing to 6% on Tuesday, 8% on Thursday, and 10% by next Friday, according to the FAA order, unless a deal is reached to end the government shutdown.
Airlines will decide which specific flights to cancel.
“We’re seeing signs of stress in the system, so we’re proactively reducing flight volumes to ensure the American public continues to fly safely,” said Administrator Bedford in a statement released by the Department of Transportation.
Which Airlines Have Canceled Flights for Friday?
While most major carriers said the overall impact would be limited, the four largest U.S. airlines have already canceled hundreds of flights in anticipation.
Delta Air Lines has canceled around 170 regional and mainline flights scheduled for Friday, with more expected over the weekend, a company spokesperson told CNN.
United Airlines will preemptively cancel about 200 flights starting Friday — roughly 4% of its daily schedule — mostly affecting regional routes. The same rate of cancellations is expected on Saturday and Sunday.
American Airlines has reduced its flight schedule by 4% at 40 airports from Friday through Monday, amounting to about 220 daily cancellations, spokesperson Sarah Jantz said. “Even with these cancellations, we still plan to operate roughly 6,000 flights each day,” she told CNN.
Southwest Airlines will cancel around 100 flights on Friday, according to the carrier. A Southwest spokesperson urged Congress to “immediately resolve the shutdown” and said the airline is adjusting its schedule to meet the FAA’s reduced flight requirements.
