Update 16 November — FAA rescinds all restrictions effective 17 November 06:00 ET
Citing a continued decrease in staffing triggers across the National Airspace System, the FAA is rescinding its order mandating cancellations at 40 major airports around the US. Also lifted are restrictions on business and private aviation at certain airports.
Update 14 November — FAA decreases cancellations to 3% after “rapid decline” in staffing triggers
Citing a “rapid decline” in staffing triggers at air traffic control facilities, the FAA says it will decrease the required number of cancellations at 40 major airports to 3%, effective 15 November.
Update 12 November — FAA holds cancellations at 6% after improvement in staffing levels
The FAA announced late Wednesday, 12 November that due to improved air traffic control staffing levels, airlines will not need to cut additional flight capacity at the 40 “high impact” airports. The mandated cancellation rate will hold at 6%. Flights by Part 91 and non-scheduled Part 135 operators at ATL, BOS, DCA, DEN, DFW, EWER, IAH, JFK, LAX, ORD, PHX, and SEA remain on hold.
Read the full revised order below.
Amid the ongoing federal government shut down, now the longest in history, the US is ordering airlines to slash their schedules by up to 10% at 40 “high impact” airports around the country. US Transportation secretary Sean Duffy says the cuts are necessary to retain the required levels of safety through ongoing strain on the National Airspace System (NAS). Air traffic controllers and other FAA employees supporting the NAS have been working without pay since the shutdown began at the beginning of October.
The plan to reduce the number of allowed flights in major markets was first floated on Wednesday, 5 November and officially released on Thursday evening. Cuts go into effect on Friday.
Which airports are affected?
The FAA has designated 40 airports throughout the United States as “high impact airports.” These include the busiest airports in the country in terms of both flight movements and passenger throughput.
| Airport Code | Airport Name |
|---|---|
| ANC | Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport |
| ATL | Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International |
| BOS | Boston Logan International |
| BWI | Baltimore/Washington International |
| CLT | Charlotte Douglas International |
| CVG | Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International |
| DAL | Dallas Love Field |
| DCA | Ronald Reagan Washington National |
| DEN | Denver International |
| DFW | Dallas/Fort Worth International |
| DTW | Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County |
| EWR | Newark Liberty International |
| FLL | Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International |
| HNL | Honolulu International |
| HOU | William P. Hobby Airport |
| IAD | Washington Dulles International |
| IAH | George Bush Houston Intercontinental |
| IND | Indianapolis International |
| JFK | New York John F. Kennedy International |
| LAS | Las Vegas Harry Reid International |
| LAX | Los Angeles International |
| LGA | New York LaGuardia |
| MCO | Orlando International |
| MDW | Chicago Midway |
| MEM | Memphis International |
| MIA | Miami International |
| MSP | Minneapolis/St. Paul International |
| OAK | Oakland International |
| ONT | Ontario International |
| ORD | Chicago O`Hare International |
| PDX | Portland International |
| PHL | Philadelphia International |
| PHX | Phoenix Sky Harbor International |
| SAN | San Diego International |
| SDF | Louisville International |
| SEA | Seattle/Tacoma International |
| SFO | San Francisco International |
| SLC | Salt Lake City International |
| TEB | Teterboro |
| TPA | Tampa International |
You can follow which airports are most impacted by delays and cancellations on the Flightradar24 disruption map. Review live disruptions as well as problems for the day ahead.
How do the cuts work?
Airlines are being instructed to cut a graduated percentage of flights beginning 7 November. Cuts are based on the “total daily scheduled domestic operations between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. local at each airport.” Airlines must cut 4% of their flight program by 06:00 EST on 7 November. The reduction required increases to 6% on 11 November, 8% on 13 November, and 10% on 14 November and each day thereafter.
How are the airlines impacted?
The US’ ‘big four’ airlines—American, Delta, Southwest, and United—are cancelling the most flights, given their relative size, but smaller airlines operating in some markets are also greatly impacted. The FAA’s emergency order directs each 14 CFR part 121 and commuter or scheduled 135 air carrier operating at these 40 airports to implement reductions to their schedules.
As of the evening of 6 November, cuts for Friday, 7 November are being put in place.
| Airline | Canceled flights (7 Nov) |
|---|---|
| American Airlines | 221 |
| United Airlines | 187 |
| Delta Air Lines | 155 |
| Southwest Airlines | 121 |
The most affected route is Phoenix (PHX) – Denver (DEN) with five flights canceled on Friday. The following routes each have four canceled flights:
- Los Angeles – Denver
- Chicago – Cleveland
- Las Vegas – Phoenix
- Los Angeles – Las Vegas
- Dallas/Ft Worth – Houston
- Denver – Colorado Springs
- Houston – Dallas/Ft Worth
- Colorado Springs – Denver
- Denver – Los Angeles
What should I do if I have a flight booked at one of these airports?
We recommend checking directly with your airline for the most up to date information. Downloading the airline’s app on your mobile device will often allow you to be notified of changes to your flight as soon as possible.
If you’re worried about delays on the day of your flight, search your flight number on Flightradar24 to see which aircraft has been assigned to your flight. Then tap the Aircraft info button to see the aircraft’s progress before your flight. You’ll know exactly where the inbound aircraft is.
