WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered airlines to reduce 10% of flights at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports starting Friday, citing severe air traffic controller shortages caused by the ongoing federal government shutdown.
The directive aims to ease pressure on controllers and maintain safe airspace operations as staffing levels continue to fall nationwide.
Airlines Ordered to Reduce Flights
The FAA said the temporary reduction in flights will help ensure continued safety across the U.S. air traffic network while controllers work without pay under shutdown conditions.
Travelers are urged to check directly with their airlines to see if their flights have been impacted.
Full List of Affected Airports
Below is the list of 40 airports where flight reductions will begin to take effect:
- Anchorage International (Alaska)
- Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International (Georgia)
- Boston Logan International (Massachusetts)
- Baltimore/Washington International (Maryland)
- Charlotte Douglas International (North Carolina)
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International (Ohio)
- Dallas Love Field (Texas)
- Ronald Reagan Washington National (Virginia)
- Denver International (Colorado)
- Dallas/Fort Worth International (Texas)
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (Michigan)
- Newark Liberty International (New Jersey)
- Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International (Florida)
- Honolulu International (Hawaii)
- Houston Hobby (Texas)
- Washington Dulles International (Virginia)
- George Bush Intercontinental (Houston, Texas)
- Indianapolis International (Indiana)
- John F. Kennedy International (New York)
- Harry Reid International (Las Vegas, Nevada)
- Los Angeles International (California)
- LaGuardia Airport (New York)
- Orlando International (Florida)
- Chicago Midway International (Illinois)
- Memphis International (Tennessee)
- Miami International (Florida)
- Minneapolis–St. Paul International (Minnesota)
- Oakland International (California)
- Ontario International (California)
- Chicago O’Hare International (Illinois)
- Portland International (Oregon)
- Philadelphia International (Pennsylvania)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International (Arizona)
- San Diego International (California)
- Louisville International (Kentucky)
- Seattle–Tacoma International (Washington)
- San Francisco International (California)
- Salt Lake City International (Utah)
- Teterboro Airport (New Jersey)
- Tampa International (Florida)
FAA Emphasizes Safety as Top Priority
The FAA said in a statement that the flight reductions are temporary and necessary to prevent controller fatigue and maintain safe operations.
“Our top priority remains safety,” the agency said. “This reduction will allow our air traffic professionals to continue performing their duties effectively during the ongoing shutdown.”
The FAA has not yet announced how long the flight reductions will remain in effect.
