Traveling during the holiday season is consistently a source of stress, and this year could escalate that stress further due to the longest government closure in U.S. history.
On Wednesday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy revealed a 10 percent decrease in flight operations at 40 U.S. airports, as reported exclusively by Reuters. The U.S. government has now entered the 36th day of the longest shutdown on record (the prior record was established during the first Trump administration). Worries about air traffic control safety have emerged, as 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA agents are working without pay, according to Reuters. This timing is unfortunate for those intending to visit relatives or friends during the fall and winter festive seasons.
Republicans attribute the shutdown to Democrats, while Democrats hold Republicans responsible. In the meantime, thousands of federal employees are missing out on their salaries.
“We had a gut check of what is our job,” Duffy stated to reporters, as per Reuters. “Our responsibility is to make the tough choices needed to maintain airspace safety.”
The FAA has indicated that international flights will not be subject to the cutbacks.
“When we notice pressures mounting in these 40 markets, we cannot disregard it,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford announced at a press briefing, according to Reuters. “We can implement measures today to stop the situation from worsening so that the system is exceedingly safe today, and will remain exceedingly safe tomorrow.”
As reported by CNBC, the flight cancellations are a “proactive” action, according to Duffy. The reduction is set to take effect on Friday, NBC reported.
What to do online if your flight is canceled
Before going to the airport, confirm your flight status by checking your airline’s website or the airport’s. If your flight is canceled, consult with your airline for a refund or alternative compensation, and determine your next steps. Consider alternatives such as taking a train, renting a car, or changing to a different airline.
If your travel plans face disruption this year, many issues can be addressed from home by checking online before departing.
FAA flight reductions: Complete list of 40 airports reportedly impacted by the shutdown
Duffy did not specify which 40 airports will be affected, yet indicated they handle “high volume,” likely involving airports you may travel through. No official list has been published by the FAA, but ABC News and CBS News, relying on anonymous sources, indicate these may be the impacted airports. The FAA did not promptly respond to a request from Mashable.
– Anchorage International
– Baltimore/Washington International
– Boston Logan International
– Charlotte Douglas International
– Chicago Midway
– Chicago O’Hare International
– Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International
– Dallas Love
– Dallas/Fort Worth International
– Denver International
– Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
– Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International
– George Bush Houston Intercontinental
– Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International
– Honolulu International
– Houston Hobby
– Indianapolis International
– Las Vegas Harry Reid International
– Los Angeles International
– Louisville International
– Memphis International
– Miami International
– Minneapolis/St. Paul International
– Newark Liberty International
– New York John F. Kennedy International
– New York LaGuardia
– Oakland International
– Ontario International
– Orlando International
– Philadelphia International
– Phoenix Sky Harbor International
– Portland International
– Ronald Reagan Washington National
– Salt Lake City International
– San Diego International
– San Francisco International
– Seattle/Tacoma International
– Tampa International
– Teterboro
– Washington Dulles International
We’re not suggesting the Trump administration is aiming to leverage Thanksgiving in the standoff over the shutdown. There are genuine concerns about the staffing of air traffic control. However, we’re not denying it either.