Flight cuts coming amid record-breaking government shutdown
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said there will be a 10% reduction in flights at 40 airports starting Nov. 7 due to the government shutdown.
- The FAA is reducing flights nationwide by up to 10% due to a record-long government shutdown.
- While Jacksonville International Airport is not on the FAA’s list, the nationwide system impact is still uncertain.
- Airlines are offering refunds and travel waivers for customers affected by the flight reductions.
- The TSA has warned of potential delays at security checkpoints as the shutdown continues.
On Wednesday, Nov. 5, the day the government shutdown broke the record for the longest in U.S. history, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced a 10% reduction on flights nationwide, calling it a “proactive” effort to keep American airspace safe while addressing the “fatigue” impacting on controllers.
Starting Friday at 6 a.m. local time, the FAA has ordered a 4% reduction in operations at 40 major airports nationwide, with cuts expected to increase to 6% by Nov. 11, 8% by Nov. 13, and up to 10% by Nov. 14, according to an emergency order issued Thursday by the FAA.
Many Jacksonville travelers are wondering how this will affect Jacksonville International Airport?
According to Michael Stewart, president of the Florida Airports Council and an executive at the Jacksonville Aviation Authority, even though the FAA has not canceled any flights out of JIA, the expectation is that the entire airport system nationwide will feel the impact. He said it’s difficult to predict what effect that could have on Jacksonville.
Here’s what we know so far, along with the steps travelers are advised to take if their flights are canceled or delayed as a result of the FAA’s nationwide flight reductions.
Live flight updates and cancellations at Jacksonville International Airport
Travelers can check the latest flight updates to and from Jacksonville International Airport by visiting flyjacksonville.com.
What to do if your flight is canceled due to FAA reduction?
The Department of Transportation has mandated that all airlines must issue full refunds to customers affected by cancellations. So far, major carriers say they’ll notify travelers about cancellations, provide rebooking options, and issue refunds — even if your flight isn’t directly impacted.
American Airlines is issuing travel waivers, allowing customers whose flights are canceled to change their flight or request a refund without penalty.
United said impacted customers will be notified via the app and push notifications about flight changes and rebooking options. United customers traveling during this period are also eligible for a refund, even if their flight isn’t impacted. The airline also released a list of canceled flights from Friday to Sunday on its website.
Delta is also offering travel waivers, allowing customers in affected markets to change, cancel, or refund flights without penalty.
Southwest said the “vast majority” of customer flights won’t be disrupted, and those impacted will hear from the airline. Those with travel booked through Nov. 12 can change their plans or receive a refund.
How is the goverment shutdown and FAA reductions impacting TSA nationwide?
According to a TSA spokesperson, “While the vast majority of TSA’s nationwide operations remain minimally impacted by the government shutdown, occasional delays at some security checkpoints are to be expected.”
However, “the longer the shutdown goes on, the more severe the impact on our TSA workforce who have expenses they must pay for, making it harder to show up for work when not being paid.”
That said, TSA has one ask from travelers: “We kindly ask for the public’s patience and understanding as our officers are forced to work unpaid at this time.”
And despite this challenge, their spokesperson emphasized “TSA will remain vigilant and focused on performing our vital security mission on behalf of the American people.”
FAA list of 40 airports impacted by the cuts
The FAA has selected the following airports for the gradual increase in cancelations. Here’s the list, in alphabetical order by airport code:
- ANC – Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport
- ATL – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
- BOS – Boston Logan International Airport
- BWI – Baltimore/Washington International Airport
- CLT – Charlotte Douglas International Airport
- CVG – Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
- DAL – Dallas Love Field
- DCA – Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
- DEN – Denver International Airport
- DFW – Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
- DTW – Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
- EWR – Newark Liberty International Airport
- FLL – Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport
- HNL – Honolulu International Airport
- HOU – William P. Hobby Airport
- IAD – Washington Dulles International Airport
- IAH – George Bush Houston Intercontinental Airport
- IND – Indianapolis International Airport
- JFK – New York John F. Kennedy International Airport
- LAS – Las Vegas McCarran International Airport
- LAX – Los Angeles International Airport
- LGA – New York LaGuardia Airport
- MCO – Orlando International Airport
- MDW – Chicago Midway International Airport
- MEM – Memphis International Airport
- MIA – Miami International Airport
- MSP – Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport
- OAK – Oakland International Airport
- ONT – Ontario International Airport
- ORD – Chicago O’Hare International Airport
- PDX – Portland International Airport
- PHL – Philadelphia International Airport
- PHX – Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
- SAN – San Diego International Airport
- SDF – Louisville International Airport
- SEA – Seattle–Tacoma International Airport
- SFO – San Francisco International Airport
- SLC – Salt Lake City International Airport
- TEB – Teterboro Airport
- TPA – Tampa International Airport
Contributing Jeanine Santucci, Marc Ramirez, N’dea Yancey-Bragg, USA TODAY