Travelers flying out of Houston this weekend are being urged to plan and prepare for possible delays. The Federal Aviation Administration said it will reduce air traffic by about 10 percent in 40 of the nation’s busiest markets, including Houston.
Airlines have begun adjusting their schedules in response to the FAA’s flight reductions. Delta Airlines has canceled roughly 170 flights, while United Airlines will preemptively cancel about 200 flights starting today. American Airlines has called off approximately 220 flights, and Southwest Airlines has canceled around 100 flights.
At George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Hobby Airport, passengers could experience longer security lines as staffing fluctuates from shift to shift. TSA wait times could reach up to an hour at Bush Airport and about 30 minutes at Hobby. Airport officials are asking travelers to arrive early and stay flexible.
United Airlines, Houston’s largest carrier, expects to cancel about four percent of its daily flights. Most of those cancellations will affect domestic and regional routes, including about 20 roundtrips in and out of Houston. Long-haul international and hub-to-hub flights are not expected to be impacted.
Southwest Airlines said it is allowing passengers to adjust travel plans without penalties as airlines respond to the FAA’s cuts.
TSA checkpoints at Terminals A and E remain open at Bush Airport, while fewer screening lanes are operating at Hobby.
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