Major US Airports Face Flight Reductions Ahead of Thanksgiving
Major US airports have been ordered to reduce air traffic, with the directive coming just weeks before millions of Americans prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday. This move has raised concerns among travelers about potential disruptions in air travel.
Travelers across the United States are bracing for possible chaos as authorities implement flight cancellations due to strains caused by the longest government shutdown in history. On Friday, airlines will begin following the US Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) order to reduce domestic operations at 40 high-traffic airports for safety reasons.
In its official order published on Thursday evening, the FAA stated that the reductions, which will impact all commercial airlines, will start at 4% on Friday and increase to 10% by November 14. These cuts are expected to affect hundreds of thousands of passengers with little notice.
The measures come just weeks ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, which is the busiest time for air travel in the US.
Affected Airports
The affected airports include some of the busiest hubs in the country. Atlanta, Miami, and San Francisco are among the airports impacted. Alongside Atlanta airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International, Denver International, Chicago O’Hare, and Los Angeles International are the five busiest airports in the US.
In major cities such as New York, Houston, and Chicago, multiple airports will be affected. This widespread impact highlights the severity of the situation and the need for coordinated action across the aviation sector.
Airlines’ Response to Flight Cuts
Delta Airlines is axing approximately 170 US flights on Friday, with fewer expected on Saturday due to lower travel volume. American Airlines has reduced its schedules by 4% across 40 airports, amounting to around 220 flights canceled each day from Friday through Monday.
United Airlines announced plans to cut 4% of its flights from Friday through Sunday, resulting in fewer than 200 daily cancellations. Southwest Airlines will cancel about 120 flights on Friday.
In line with the federal directive, all major airlines are offering customers greater flexibility to change or cancel flights. This move aims to minimize the inconvenience for passengers and provide them with more control over their travel plans.
Reasons Behind the Flight Reductions
The FAA is imposing the reductions due to safety concerns stemming from the government shutdown, which began on October 1. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford emphasized the importance of taking proactive measures to prevent potential safety issues.
“We’re not going to wait for a safety problem to truly manifest itself, when the early indicators are telling us we can take action today to prevent things from deteriorating,” Bedford said.
During the shutdown, 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 security screeners have gone without paychecks, leading to increased sick days. Most controllers work mandatory overtime six days a week, leaving little time for side jobs to support their families unless they call in sick.
This situation underscores the critical role of air traffic controllers and security screeners in ensuring the safety and efficiency of air travel. The ongoing shutdown has placed significant strain on these essential workers, prompting the FAA to take decisive action to mitigate risks.