The Federal Aviation Administration of the Us has announced a 10% reduction in scheduled flight capacity across 40 major US airports, aiming to ease the operational strain caused by the ongoing government shutdown, the longest in US history.
This measure comes as air travel demand surges ahead of the holiday season, with approximately 2.5 million passengers passing through US airport security checkpoints daily.
The affected airports include major hubs such as New York’s LaGuardia, Newark Liberty & JFK Los Angeles International & San Francisco International, Chicago O’Hare Miami International, Denver International & Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International.
Airlines were initially informed that capacity reductions would start at 4% on Friday 7th November & gradually increase to 10% next week. United Airlines has announced a 4% cut in domestic flights over the weekend, affecting fewer than 200 flights per day.
The FAA & government officials cited the need to relieve pressure on air traffic controllers, TSA agents & US Customs & Border Protection officers, whose workloads have intensified due to staffing shortages during the shutdown.
More than 3.4 million passengers have already experienced delays & cancellations since the shutdown began, according to industry group Airlines for America.
The cuts primarily target domestic flights, with hub to hub & international services largely unaffected. Airlines, including United, Delta & American, are offering flexibility for affected passengers, including refunds, waived cancellation fees & 1 time fare adjustments.
Passengers are advised to monitor airline communications closely, check in early & consider backup travel plans, as competition for seats is expected to rise due to cancellations.
This proactive measure is intended to maintain operational safety, minimise delays & manage the surge in passenger traffic during a period of federal disruption, while providing contingency options to travelers affected by the reduced schedule.
