WASHINGTON – If you’re planning on flying for Thanksgiving, you may want to review your travel plans. On Nov. 5, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that 40 major airports – including Detroit Metropolitan Airport – will see a 10 percent cut in flights.
Duffy warned earlier in the week that the cuts could come as a result of pressure on the country’s air traffic controllers due the record setting federal government shutdown. Air traffic controllers, already understaffed, are not getting paid. Many are calling in sick.
“It’s going to lead to more cancellations, but we are going to work with the airlines to do this in a systematic way,” Duffy said.
Federal Aviation Administrator Bryan Bedford added that the reductions would “put the relief where the relief will do the most good” and that the FAA would work with airlines on how to implement them. “We’re not going to do anything that will compromise the safety of air travel in the United States,” Bedford said.
Major airports in New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles and more are included in the list of sites facing flight reductions, according to reports from ABC News and CBS News, which cited anonymous sources.
The airports named to face flight cuts are listed below, but could change when an official list is released by the FAA, according to reports from ABC News and CBS News.
- Anchorage International (ANC)
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL)
- Boston Logan International (BOS)
- Baltimore/Washington International (BWI)
- Charlotte Douglas International (CLT)
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International (CVG)
- Dallas Love (DAL)
- Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA)
- Denver International (DEN)
- Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW)
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW)
- Newark Liberty International (EWR)
- Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International (FLL)
- Honolulu International (HNL)
- Houston Hobby (HOU)
- Washington Dulles International (IAD)
- George Bush Houston Intercontinental (IAH)
- Indianapolis International (IND)
- New York John F. Kennedy International (JFK)
- Las Vegas Harry Reid International (LAS)
- Los Angeles International (LAX)
- New York LaGuardia (LGA)
- Orlando International (MCO)
- Chicago Midway (MDW)
- Memphis International (MEM)
- Miami International (MIA)
- Minneapolis/St. Paul International (MSP)
- Oakland International (OAK)
- Ontario International (ONT)
- Chicago O`Hare International (ORD)
- Portland International (PDX)
- Philadelphia International (PHL)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX)
- San Diego International (SAN)
- Louisville International (SDF)
- Seattle/Tacoma International (SEA)
- San Francisco International (SFO)
- Salt Lake City International (SLC)
- Teterboro (TEB)
- Tampa International (TPA)
Airlines respond to flight cuts
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said in a memo to employees provided to USA TODAY that the company will focus its reductions on “regional flying” and domestic flights that do not travel between its hubs.
He said that any customer traveling while the reductions are in effect is eligible for a refund if they do not wish to fly “even if their flight isn’t impacted.” The offer includes non-refundable and basic economy tickets.
American Airlines said in a statement provided to USA TODAY that it expects “the vast majority” of its customers to be unaffected. “As schedule changes are made, we will proactively reach out to customers who are impacted,” the statement reads. The airline called on “leaders in Washington” to end the shutdown.
Southwest Airlines said it is “evaluating how the planned FAA flight reductions will affect our schedule and will communicate directly with Customers. as soon as possible.”
JetBlue, in a reply to a user on X posted, “Please know if your flight is affected, you’ll receive an email as soon as possible. We appreciate your understanding.”
Delta Air Lines referred comment to the Department of Transportation and FAA.
Allegiant and Spirit did not respond to the request as of Nov. 5.
