What to Know About the 10% Flight Reduction at US Airports Due to Government Shutdown
Airports across the United States are experiencing a 10% reduction in flights as the government shutdown leads to phased cuts in air traffic. Major hubs including New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago are among the 40 airports affected starting Friday.
Impact on Passengers
Travelers have faced long lines and significant delays as hundreds of flights are canceled. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is enforcing these cuts to ease the workload on air traffic controllers, federal employees working without pay during the shutdown.
“It was snaking around all different parts of the regular area,” said Cara Bergeron, who waited nearly two hours at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston before reaching her gate for a flight to Atlanta.
FAA Measures and Traveler Advice
- The FAA’s flight reductions aim to reduce strain on controllers during the shutdown.
- More cancellations are expected over the weekend as airlines try to rebook passengers.
- Experts recommend checking flight statuses before going to the airport.
Summary
The 10% cut in flights at major US airports reflects efforts to manage limited FAA staff during the government shutdown, causing delays and cancellations that travelers should prepare for accordingly.
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